Information providing method and information providing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cloud server ( 104 ) receives environmental information of respective installation sites of a plurality of appliances ( 101   a,    101   b,    101   c,    102   a,    102   b ) via a network ( 1000 ), and determines one or more appliances that are installed in a same room among the plurality of appliances ( 101   a,    101   b,    101   c,    102   a,    102   b ), based on the received environmental information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information providing method and aninformation providing apparatus for providing information relating to aplurality of appliances connected to a network.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, research is being conducted for improving theuser-friendliness by controlling, from outdoors, appliances that areinstalled indoors and connected to a network (for example, refer toPatent Literature 1).

Nevertheless, conventional appliance control of controlling indoorappliances from outdoors gives no consideration to the appliance controlthat takes into account the installation site of the appliancesinstalled indoors.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2005-273937

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention was devised to resolve the foregoing problem, andan object of this invention is to provide an information providingmethod capable of providing information relating to the installationsite of the appliances that are connected to a network and installedwithin the same building, and thereby improving the user-friendliness.

A communication management method according to one aspect of the presentinvention comprises receiving an environmental information of respectiveinstallation sites of a plurality of appliances via a network, anddetermining one or more appliances that are installed in a same roomamong the plurality of appliances based on the received environmentalinformation.

Further improvement can be realized based on the foregoing aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in the present embodiment, FIG. 1Bis a diagram showing an example where the appliance manufacturercorresponds to the data center operating company, and FIG. 1C is adiagram showing an example where the appliance manufacturer and/or themanagement company corresponds to the data center operating company.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the respectiveappliances in the respective rooms, the configuration of the cloudserver and the configuration of the terminal shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the informationproviding system in embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the controlunit of the cloud server in embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the respectiveappliances in a case where the control unit of the cloud servercomprises the appliance identification unit.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for identifying the appliances in the same room bydetecting the light intensity.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the time information that issent to the cloud server.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in a first modified example of embodiment 1.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the respectiveappliances in a case where the control unit of the cloud servercomprises the appliance identification unit.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for identifying the appliances in the same room bydetecting sound.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the respectiveappliances in a case where the control unit of the cloud servercomprises the appliance identification unit.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for identifying the appliances in the same room bydetecting temperature.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system a case where the control unit of the cloud servercomprises a room position detection unit.

FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for detecting the positional relationship of therespective rooms.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the time information that issent to the cloud server.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in a case where the control unit of the cloud servercomprises the appliance position detection unit.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the room including theimaging device.

FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for detecting the positional relationship of aplurality of appliances in the same room.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the intermittent pattern ofcausing the light emitting unit to emit light intermittently.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another example of the intermittent patternof causing the light emitting unit to emit light intermittently.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in a case where the control unit of the cloud servercomprises the appliance position detection unit.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the room including a thermalradiation distribution measuring device.

FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for detecting the positional relationship of aplurality of appliances in the same room.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount ofthermal radiation emitted from the case of an arbitrary appliance, andthe power that is input to the arbitrary appliance.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in a case where the control unit of the cloud servercomprises the user position detection unit.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the room including theimaging device.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the first service mode in which theterminal receives information provided from the service provider, andthe user controls the indoor appliance via the terminal.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a second service mode in which the serviceprovider determines the control description of the indoor appliance andcontrols the indoor appliance based on the received information andoperating information.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a third service mode in which theprocessing of the two service providers of FIG. 29 is performed by oneservice provider.

FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of providinginformation to the terminal by using the information acquired from theapplication identification unit in the information providing systemdescribed in embodiment 1.

FIG. 32A is a diagram showing an example of the information that is sentfrom the cloud server to the terminal, and FIG. 32B is another exampleof the information that is sent from the cloud server to the terminal.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen that isdisplayed on the display unit of the terminal in step S3101 of FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a display example of the thermal radiationdistribution image measured with the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring device.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing another example of the display screen thatis displayed on the display unit of the terminal in step S3101 of FIG.31.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in the first example related to the second service modeand the third service mode.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in the second example related to the second servicemode and the third service mode.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in the third example related to the second service modeand the third service mode.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in the fourth example related to the second servicemode and the third service mode.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in the fifth example related to the second service modeand the third service mode.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the service mode in which the serviceprovider receives image information from the imaging device, andreceives appliance operating information and intermittent patterninformation from the respective appliances installed in the same room.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in service type 1 (company-owneddata center-type cloud service).

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in service type 2 (IaaS-based cloudservice).

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in service type 3 (PaaS-based cloudservice).

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in service type 4 (SaaS-based cloudservice).

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(Findings that Formed the Basis of the Present Invention)

Patent Literature 1 describes a method in which a user assesses theopen/close status of windows or doors in one's home, and operates anair-conditioner in one's home by using a portable terminal appliancefrom outdoors. Patent Literature 1 discloses a method of displaying, ona display unit of the air-conditioner, a message urging that theair-conditioner should be operated upon closing the window (door) inconsideration of energy-saving efficiency when the window (door) is open(FIG. 3). Moreover, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method of similarlydisplaying, on a display unit of the portable terminal appliance, amessage urging that the air-conditioner should be operated upon closingthe window (door) even in cases of controlling the air-conditioner byusing a portable terminal appliance from outdoors (FIG. 6).

Nevertheless, with the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1, noconsideration is given to cases when there are a plurality of rooms in ahome, when there are a plurality of air-conditioners, or when there area plurality of windows. In other words, the user is unable to assesswhich air-condition in which room is being controlled. Moreover, theuser is unable to specify which window is open and causing the messageto be displayed.

In other words, upon providing a system of controlling a plurality ofappliances, it is necessary to detect which appliance is installed inwhich room in the home.

Furthermore, with regard to mobile appliances such as a portableterminal (smartphone) or a vacuum cleaner (robotic cleaner) orappliances that are not connected to a specific circuit breaker otherthan the foregoing appliances (air-conditioners or windows, for example)that are fixed in each room, it is more difficult to specify thelocation of that appliance or to assess information regarding whichappliance exists in which room.

The present inventors devised the present invention pertaining thefollowing aspects in order to resolve the foregoing problems.

A communication management method according to one aspect of the presentinvention comprises receiving an environmental information of respectiveinstallation sites of a plurality of appliances via a network, anddetermining one or more appliances that are installed in a same roomamong the plurality of appliances based on the received environmentalinformation.

It is thereby possible to identify the appliances that are installed foreach room. In other words, it becomes possible to identify whichappliance is installed in which room even for appliances that can movebetween a plurality of rooms or appliances that are not connected to acircuit breaker. Thus, the operation of a user or a service providerpre-registering, in a system, information relating to a plurality ofappliances or location of the room where a plurality of appliances areinstalled, is no longer required.

Accordingly, it is possible to provide information relating to theinstallation site of appliances which are connected to a network andlocated within the same building, and improve the user-friendliness.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, information relating tothe one or more appliances may be provided to a specific appliance amongthe plurality of appliances or to an information terminal other than theplurality of appliances.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, a list of the one ormore appliances that have been determined as being installed in the sameroom may be created, operating information of a first appliance includedin the created list may be received, a control description of a secondappliance which is included in the list and operates in coordinationwith the first appliance may be determined based on a coordinatedoperation database for associating and storing an operation of oneappliance among the plurality of appliances and an operation of anotherappliance that operates in coordination with the one appliance, and acontrol signal for controlling the second appliance based on thedetermined control description may be sent to the second appliance.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, information forconfirming an intention of a user may be sent to a user's portableterminal before the control signal is sent to the second appliance.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, position specifyinginformation for specifying the location of the plurality of appliancesin a predetermined room and specifying the location of a user in theroom may be received via a network, the location of the plurality ofappliances in the room may be specified and the location of the user inthe room may be specified based on the received position specifyinginformation, a user who is using one or more appliances among theplurality of appliances in the room may be specified based on thespecified location of the plurality of appliances and the specifiedlocation of the user, and information relating to the user may beprovided to a service providing apparatus which provides an arbitraryservice to the specified user and to family members of the user.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, the position specifyinginformation may include an image within a room captured by an imagingdevice, and the location of the plurality of appliances in the room maybe specified and the location of the user in the room may be specifiedbased on the captured image.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, the position specifyinginformation may include a thermal radiation distribution within a roommeasured with a thermal radiation distribution measuring device, and thelocation of the plurality of appliances in the room may be specified andthe location of the user in the room may be specified based on themeasured thermal radiation distribution.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, information relating toa body shape of the user measured with a body shape measuring device maybe received, and a user who is using one or more appliances among theplurality of appliances in the room may be specified based on theinformation relating to the body shape of the user, the location of theplurality of appliances, and the location of the user.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, air of a temperaturethat is different from a room temperature may be blown toward anarbitrary appliance.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, one or more appliancesinstalled in a first room among the plurality of appliances may bedetermined based on the received environmental information, one or moreappliances installed in a second room that is different from the firstroom among the plurality of appliances may be determined based on thereceived environmental information, and a command for respectivelydisplaying, in different display areas of a display unit equipped in aspecific appliance among the plurality of appliances or in aninformation terminal other than the plurality of appliances, firstinformation relating to the one or more appliances that have beendetermined as being installed in the first room, and second informationrelating to the one or more appliances that have been determined asbeing installed in the second room may be sent.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, the environmentalinformation may include information relating to a time that theplurality of appliances have detected a change in light, and one or moreappliances, among the plurality of appliances, in which the time thatthe change in light has been detected is the same may be determined asappliances that are installed in the same room.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, a plurality of lightsources respectively disposed in a plurality of rooms within a buildingmay be each lit according to a predetermined lighting pattern, and oneor more appliances, among the plurality of appliances, for which a samelighting pattern has been detected may be determined as appliances thatare installed in the same room.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, the environmentalinformation may include information relating to a time that theplurality of appliances have detected a change in sound, and one or moreappliances, among the plurality of appliances, in which the time thatthe change in sound has been detected is the same may be determined asappliances that are installed in the same room.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, a mobile appliance thatmoves between a plurality of rooms within a building may be caused tooutput sound, the environmental information may include informationrelating to a time that the plurality of appliances have detected achange in the sound output by the mobile appliance, and one or moreappliances, among the plurality of appliances, in which the time thatthe change in sound has been detected is the same may be determined asappliances that are installed in the same room.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, the environmentalinformation may include information relating to a time that theplurality of appliances have detected a change in temperature, and oneor more appliances, among the plurality of appliances, in which the timethat the change in temperature has been detected is the same may bedetermined as appliances that are installed in the same room.

The communication management apparatus according to another aspect ofthe present invention comprises a communication unit for receivingenvironmental information of respective installation sites of aplurality of appliances via a network, and a control unit fordetermining one or more appliances that are installed in a same roomamong the plurality of appliances based on the received environmentalinformation.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, the environmentalinformation may include information relating to a time that theplurality of appliances have detected a change in light, and the controlunit may determine one or more appliances, among the plurality ofappliances, in which the time that the change in light has been detectedis the same, as appliances that are installed in the same room.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, a plurality of lightsources respectively disposed in a plurality of rooms within a buildingmay be each lit according to a predetermined lighting pattern, and thecontrol unit may determine one or more appliances, among the pluralityof appliances, for which a same lighting pattern has been detected, asappliances that are installed in the same room.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, the environmentalinformation may include information relating to a time that theplurality of appliances have detected a change in sound, and the controlunit may determine one or more appliances, among the plurality ofappliances, in which the time that the change in sound has been detectedis the same, as appliances that are installed in the same room.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, a mobile appliance thatmoves between a plurality of rooms within a building may be caused tooutput sound, the environmental information may include informationrelating to a time that the plurality of appliances have detected achange in the sound output by the mobile appliance, and the control unitmay determine one or more appliances, among the plurality of appliances,in which the time that the change in sound has been detected is thesame, as appliances that are installed in the same room.

Moreover, in the foregoing aspect, for example, the environmentalinformation may include information relating to a time that theplurality of appliances have detected a change in temperature, and thecontrol unit may determine one or more appliances, among the pluralityof appliances, in which the time that the change in temperature has beendetected is the same, as appliances that are installed in the same room.

Embodiments of the present invention are now explained with reference tothe appended drawings. Note that the ensuing embodiments are merely anexample of materializing the present invention, and are not intended tolimit the technical scope of the present invention in any way.

(Overall Image of Service to be Provided)

The overall image of the service to be provided by the informationproviding system in this embodiment is foremost explained.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in the present embodiment. Theinformation providing system comprises a group 100, a data centeroperating company 110 and a service provider 120.

The group 100 is, for example, a corporation, an organization or a home,regardless of its size. The group 100 includes a room 101 and a room102. Moreover, the group 100 includes a home gateway 103. The homegateway 103 may exists in either the room 101 or the room 102, or existsin a space that is outside the room 101 and the room 102.

The room 101 includes the plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c,and the room 102 includes a plurality of appliances 102 a, 102 b. Notethat, here, while the plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102a, 102 b are indicated, the number of appliances to be installed in theroom 101 and the room 102 is not limited thereto, and a plurality ofappliances are disposed in the respective rooms 101, 102. Theconfiguration of each appliance will be described later. Moreover, thenumber of rooms included in the group 100 is not limited to two rooms,and the group 100 may also include three or more rooms.

The plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b includeappliances that can be connected to the internet (for example,smartphone, personal computer (PC) or TV), and appliances that cannot bedirectly connected to the internet (for example, lighting apparatus,washing machine or refrigerator). The plurality of appliances 101 a, 101b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b may be appliances that cannot be directlyconnected to the internet, or include apparatuses that can be connectedto the internet via the home gateway 103.

Moreover, a user 10 uses the plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101c, 102 a, 102 b in the group 100.

Moreover, the group 100 may also include a mobile terminal 105 separatefrom the plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b. Theterminal 105 may also be in the possession of an outside user 20.

The data center operating company 110 comprises a cloud server 104. Thecloud server 104 is a virtualized server that coordinates with variousappliances via the internet. The cloud server 104 mainly manages vastdata (big data) which is difficult to handle with standard databasemanagement tools. The data center operating company 110 manages data,manages the cloud server 104, and manages the data center that performssuch management. The services provided by the data center operatingcompany 110 will be described in detail later.

Here, the data center operating company 110 is not limited to a companythat is only engaged in the management of data and the operation of thecloud server 104. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, when an appliancemanufacturer that is developing and manufacturing one appliance amongthe plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b ismanaging data or operating the cloud server 104, that appliancemanufacturer corresponds to the data center operating company 110.Moreover, the data center operating company 110 is not limited to onecompany. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, when an appliancemanufacturer and another management company are jointly managing data oroperating the cloud server 104 or sharing the duties thereof, theappliance manufacturer and/or the other management company correspondsto the data center operating company 110.

The service provider 120 comprises a server 121. The server 121 asreferred to herein includes, for example, a memory in a PC or the like,regardless of its size. Moreover, there may be cases where the serviceprovider 120 does not comprise the server 121.

Note that, in the foregoing service, the home gateway 103 is optional.For example, when the cloud server 104 is managing all data, the homegateway 103 may be omitted. Moreover, in cases where all appliances inthe home are connected to the internet, there may be cases where thereare no appliances that cannot be directly connected to the internet.Moreover, an appliance such as the home gateway 103 that is installedindoors may perform all of the processing in all embodiments explainedbelow. Moreover, it is also possible to install an indoor processingdevice (not shown) separately from the home gateway 103 and cause thatindoor processing device to perform all of the processing in theembodiments explained below. In other words, all of the processingperformed by the cloud server 104 or the server 121 in all embodimentsexplained below may be substituted with the indoor processing device. Inthe foregoing case, the cloud server 104 or the server 121 is not arequisite configuration.

The flow of information in the foregoing service is now explained.

Foremost, the plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 bof the group 100 send their respective log information to the cloudserver 104 of the data center operating company 110. The cloud server104 accumulates the log information of the plurality of appliances 101a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b (arrow 131 of FIG. 1A). Here, the loginformation is, for example, information indicating the operatingcondition or the operated date/time of the plurality of appliances 101a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b. For example, the log informationincludes, but is not limited to, viewing history of a TV, recordingreservation information of a recorder, operated date/time of a washingmachine, amount of laundry to be washed, date/time that a refrigeratorwas opened/closed, and number of times that a refrigerator wasopened/closed, and may also include various types of information thatcan be acquired from the various appliances. Note that the loginformation may also be provided to the cloud server 104 directly fromthe plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b via theinternet. Moreover, the log information may also be once accumulated inthe home gateway 103 from the plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101c, 102 a, 102 b, and then provided from the home gateway 103 to thecloud server 104.

Subsequently, the cloud server 104 of the data center operating company110 provides the accumulated log information to the service provider 120in a given unit. Here, a given unit may be a unit in which theinformation accumulated by the data center operating company 110 can beorganized and provided to the service provider 120, or a unit that isrequested by the service provider 120. Moreover, while the foregoingexplanation is providing the accumulated log information in a givenunit, the provision is not limited to a given unit, and the amount ofinformation to be provided may be changed in accordance with thecircumstances. The log information is stored in the server 121 equippedin the service provider 120 as needed (arrow 132 of FIG. 1A).

In addition, the service provider 120 organizes the log information asinformation that is suitable for the service to be provided to the user,and then provide the organized information to the user. The user toreceive the service may be the user 10 to use the plurality ofappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b, or the outside user 20. Asthe method of providing the service to the users 10, 20, for example,the service may be provided directly from the service provider 120 tothe users 10, 20 (arrows 133, 134 of FIG. 1A). Moreover, as the methodof providing the service to the user 10, for example, the server may beprovided to the user 10 by once again going through the cloud server 104of the data center operating company 110 (arrows 135, 136 of FIG. 1A).Moreover, the cloud server 104 of the data center operating company 110may organize the log information as information that is suitable for theservice to be provided to the user, and then provide the organizedinformation to the service provider 120.

Moreover, as the service providing method, the service may be providedto the user by feeding back the service contents to the plurality ofappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b, or the service may beprovided to the user by displaying the service contents on the terminal105 that is being used by the user 10 in the group 100 or by the outsideuser 20.

Note that the user 10 may be different from, or the same as, the user20.

The overall image of the service to be provided by the informationproviding system was explained above, but this is merely an example, andthere are various types of service providing methods. As evident fromthe ensuing embodiments describing various types of service providingmethods, the present information providing system can be applied to alltypes of services.

(Configuration of Respective Devices)

The configuration of the respective devices shown in FIG. 1 is nowexplained with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the respectiveappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b in the respective rooms 101and 102 shown in FIG. 1, the configuration of the cloud server 104 andthe configuration of the terminal 105. The appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101c, 102 a, 102 b respectively comprise a communication unit 310.Moreover, the appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b may alsocomprise a control unit 320, a recording unit 330 and a detection unit340 as needed.

The communication unit 310 has a wireless or wired communicationfunction, and is connected to a network 1000 such as the internet. Forexample, wireless communication is performed using Bluetooth (registeredtrademark), a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. Here, theappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b include appliances that canbe connected to the internet (for example, smartphone, PC or TV), andappliances that cannot be directly connected to the internet (forexample, lighting apparatus, washing machine or refrigerator).

The control unit 320 performs the various control related to therespective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b. There is noparticular limitation regarding the control unit 320. For example, thecontrol unit 320 may be configured from a CPU (Central Processing Unit)or a microcomputer.

The recording unit 330 accumulates information. There is no particularlimitation regarding the recording unit 330. The recording unit 330 isconfigured from an electronic component or a chip comprising a recordingfunction that is built into the appliance. When the appliance includes aconnecting unit for connecting with an external recording medium, thenthat connecting unit is included in the recording unit 330.

Moreover, the appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b preferablycomprise the detection unit 340 as needed. The detection unit 340includes a sensor for detecting sound, light, temperature or heat, or adetection unit for detecting an image. There is no particular limitationregarding the details of the detection unit 340. Moreover, not allappliances need to comprise the detection unit 340. Details regardingthe detection unit 340 will be explained in the respective embodiments.

The configuration of the cloud server 104 is now explained. The cloudserver 104 comprises a communication unit 311, a control unit 321 and amain memory 331. The control unit 321 is configured, for example, from aCPU (Central Processing Unit). Moreover, in multi-processing, thecontrol unit 321 may be configured from a plurality of CPUs. Thecommunication unit 311 communicates with the respective appliances viathe internet. There is no limitation regarding the communication methodof the communication unit 311. The main memory 331 is a recording devicecapable of storing large-capacity data (big data). Moreover, the cloudserver 104 may also comprise a bus line for carrying data to a pluralityof locations, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) for recording programsto be executed by the CPU when the server is activated, an I/Ocontroller for connecting a storage device such as a hard disk or anoptical disk drive, a display device, or an input device. Moreover,since the configuration of the server 121 is the same as theconfiguration of the cloud server 104, the explanation thereof isomitted.

The terminal 105 comprises, for example, the communication unit 310.Moreover, the terminal 105 comprises the control unit 320, the recordingunit 330 and the display unit 350 as needed.

The home gateway 103 comprises, for example, a communication unit 311, acontrol unit 321 and a main memory 331 (not shown). Since theconfiguration of the home gateway 103 is the same as the configurationof the cloud server 104, the explanation thereof is omitted. Moreover,the home gateway 103 is not required to include the main memory 331.

Embodiment 1

Embodiment 1 shows an information providing system capable of detectingthe location of appliances in a home. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing theoverall configuration of the information providing system inembodiment 1. With the information providing system of this embodiment,as shown in FIG. 3, the appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b aredesirably connected to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000.Moreover, desirably, the respective appliances also send, as needed, theoperating information of the appliances or the output of the varioussensors equipped in the appliances from the communication unit 310 tothe cloud server 104 via the network 1000. Note that, while notdescribed in detail in this embodiment, the terminal 105 also comprises,as with the appliances, the communication unit 310 for communicatingwith the cloud server 104 via the network 1000.

(Configuration of Information Providing System)

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the controlunit 321 of the cloud server 104 in embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 4,the control unit 321 of the cloud server 104 in this embodimentcomprises an appliance identification unit 2001, a room positiondetection unit 2002, an appliance position detection unit 2003, and auser position detection unit 2004. However, the control unit 321 in thisembodiment does not necessarily have to comprise all of these detectionunits. In other words, the control unit 321 in this embodiment may belacking one or more detection units.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the appliance identification unit 2001,the room position detection unit 2002, the appliance position detectionunit 2003, and the user position detection unit 2004 respectively yieldthe same effect even when used independently.

The appliance identification unit 2001, the room position detection unit2002, the appliance position detection unit 2003 and the user positiondetection unit 2004 are now explained in detail.

(Appliance Identification Unit 2001)

In the ensuing explanation, the appliance identification unit 2001 inthe control unit 321 of the cloud server 104 is foremost explained. Theappliance identification unit 2001 assesses the appliance group that isinstalled in the same room. It is thereby possible to control theappliances for each room.

The communication unit 311 of the cloud server 104 receivesenvironmental information of respective installation sites of aplurality of appliances via the network 1000.

The appliance identification unit 2001 determines one or more appliancesthat are installed in a same room among the plurality of appliancesbased on the environmental information received by the communicationunit 311. Moreover, the appliance identification unit 2001 may alsoprovide information relating to the one or more appliances to a specificappliance among the plurality of appliances or to the terminal 105 otherthan the plurality of appliances.

The appliance identification unit 2001 includes an applianceidentification unit 2001 a, an appliance identification unit 2001 b, anappliance identification unit 2001 c and an appliance identificationunit 2001 d.

Here, several methods (appliance identification unit 2001 a, applianceidentification unit 2001 b, appliance identification unit 2001 c andappliance identification unit 2001 d) for detecting devices in the sameroom are explained.

(Appliance Identification Unit 2001 a)

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the respectiveappliances in a case where the control unit 321 of the cloud server 104comprises the appliance identification unit 2001 a. The appliances 101a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b disposed in the room 101 and the room 102respectively comprise a light intensity detection unit 340 a as thedetection unit 340.

The light intensity detection unit 340 a of the appliances 101 a, 101 b,101 c detects the brightness (light intensity) in the room 101 as theenvironmental information of the room 101. Moreover, the light intensitydetection unit 340 a of the appliances 102 a, 102 b detects thebrightness (light intensity) in the room 102 as the environmentalinformation of the room 102. The light intensity detection unit 340 a isconfigured, for example, from a phototransistor, a photodiode, or aphotodiode with an amplifier circuit added thereto. Consequently, bycomparing the time change of the light intensity detected by theplurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c in the room 101, theappliance identification unit 2001 a can identify (detect) that therespective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c are appliances that areinstalled in the same room.

The environmental information includes information relating to the timethat the plurality of appliances have detected a change in light. Theappliance identification unit 2001 a determines one or more appliances,among the plurality of appliances, in which the time that the change inlight has been detected is the same, as appliances that are installed inthe same room.

The method of the appliance identification unit 2001 a detecting devicesin the same room is now explained in detail.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for identifying the appliances in the same room bydetecting the light intensity.

Foremost, in step S610, the light intensity detection unit 340 a of therespective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b detects thechange in the light intensity. The timing that the light intensitydetection unit 340 a detects the change in the light intensity may beany timing. For example, the light intensity detection unit 340 a maydetect the timing that the value of change in the light intensityexceeds a predetermined threshold within a given period of time.Moreover, for appliances that comprise the control unit 320, the lightintensity detection unit 340 a may detect the light intensity for eachgiven period of time, and the control unit 320 may create a tablerelating to the time that the light intensity has been detected and thetransition of the detected light intensity.

Subsequently, in step S620, the communication unit 310 of the respectiveappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b sends, to the cloud server104, time information regarding the timing that the value of change inthe light intensity exceeded a predetermined threshold. Here, there isno particular limitation in the timing of sending the time information.For example, the communication unit 310 may send the time information tothe cloud server 104 immediately after detecting the change in the lightintensity in step S610. Moreover, the communication unit 310 may alsosend information regarding whether was any change in the light intensityand the time information to the cloud server 104 for each given periodof time. In other words, this timing is not necessarily the same as thetiming that the respective appliances sent the time information to thecloud server 104 in step S620. Moreover, the method of sending the timeinformation from the appliances at a predetermined timing as shown inFIG. 6 does not have to be adopted. For example, the cloud server 104may send to the respective appliances, for each given period of time, aninstruction for sending the information regarding whether was any changein the light intensity and the time information.

Subsequently, in step S630, the appliance identification unit 2001 a ofthe cloud server 104 identifies the appliances that are located in thesame room based on the time information sent from the respectiveappliances.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the time information that issent to the cloud server 104. In the example of the time informationshown in FIG. 7, the light intensity detection unit 340 a of theappliance 101 a detected a change in the light intensity at 07:15, thelight intensity detection unit 340 a of the appliance 101 b detected achange in the light intensity at 07:15, the light intensity detectionunit 340 a of the appliance 101 c detected a change in the lightintensity at 07:15, the light intensity detection unit 340 a of theappliance 102 a detected a change in the light intensity at 08:23, andthe light intensity detection unit 340 a of the appliance 102 b detecteda change in the light intensity at 08:23, respectively.

The appliance identification unit 2001 a of the cloud server 104identifies the appliance 101 a, the appliance 101 b and the appliance101 c, in which the time that the change in the light intensity has beendetected is the same, as the appliances that are disposed in the sameroom based on the time information shown in FIG. 7. Similarly, theappliance identification unit 2001 a identifies the appliance 102 a andthe appliance 102 b, in which the time that the change in the lightintensity has been detected is the same, as the appliances that aredisposed in the same room.

As a result of the appliance identification unit 2001 a identifying theappliances existing in the same room based on the light intensity asdescribed above, it is possible to identify that appliances such as amobile phone or a robotic cleaner capable of moving between a pluralityof rooms or appliances that are not connected to a circuit breaker existin the same room. Moreover, the operation of a user or a serviceprovider pre-registering, in a system, information relating to aplurality of appliances or location of the room where a plurality ofappliances are installed, is no longer required. Since light does noteasily leak to the adjacent room, the identification method using lightis an effective means upon identifying the appliances belonging to therespective rooms.

Here, while the respective appliances directly sent the time informationto the cloud server 104 in step S620, the present invention is notlimited thereto. The respective appliances may also send the timeinformation to the home gateway 103, and the home gateway 103 may sendthe time information to the cloud server 104. Moreover, here, the homegateway 103 may organize the time information, and send the organizedtime information to the cloud server 104.

Moreover, it would be even more desirable to install a light source forgenerating light within the room 101. Since it will thereby be possibleto identify the appliances in which the measured light intensityincreased (decreased) at the time that the light source was turned on(turned off) as the appliances located in the room 101, it will bepossible to more accurately identify the appliances existing in the room101. The light source to generate light may be configured, for example,from a generally used lighting apparatus such as an LED (Light EmittingDiode), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or a fluorescent light.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in a first modified example of embodiment 1. As shownin FIG. 8, the information providing system may also comprise lightsources 801, 802 for generating light. The light sources 801, 802comprise a communication unit 810 connected to the cloud server 104 viathe network 1000, a control unit 820, and a light emitting unit 800 thatemits light. Here, the light source 801 is disposed in the room 101, andthe light source 802 is disposed in the room 102, which is differentfrom the room 101.

The appliance identification unit 2001 a causes each of the plurality oflight sources, which are respectively disposed in a plurality of roomswithin a building, to be lit at a predetermined lighting pattern. Theappliance identification unit 2001 a determines one or more appliances,among the plurality of appliances, for which a same lighting pattern hasbeen detected, as appliances that are installed in the same room.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system shown in FIG. 8.

Foremost, in step S910, the cloud server 104 receives some kind ofinteraction from the user, and sends a command to the light source 801for changing the light intensity. Here, some kind of interaction refersto an instruction for controlling the light source 801 via the cloudserver 104 that is given from the user by using some kind of terminalthat is connected to the network 1000.

Subsequently, in step S920, the communication unit 810 of the lightsource 801 receives a command for changing the light intensity, and thecontrol unit 820 of the light source 801 changes the light intensity ofthe light emitting unit 800.

Since the processing of step S930 and step S940 is each the same as theprocessing of step S610 and step S620 in FIG. 6, the explanation thereofis omitted.

Subsequently, in step S950, as with step S910, the cloud server 104receives some kind of interaction from the user and sends a command tothe light source 802 for changing the light intensity.

Subsequently, in step S960, as with step S920, the communication unit810 of the light source 802 receives the command for changing the lightintensity, and the control unit 820 of the light source 802 changes thelight intensity of the light emitting unit 800.

Since the subsequent processing of step S970, step S980 and step S990 iseach the same as the processing of step S610, step S620 and step S630 inFIG. 6, the explanation thereof is omitted.

Consequently, it becomes possible to turn on (turn off) the lightsources 801, 802 at an arbitrary time that is instructed from anappliance such as the cloud server 104 via the network 1000. Thus, it ispossible to identify the appliances existing in the same room at anarbitrary time and an arbitrary frequency. Moreover, it is also possiblefor the user to instruct the time of turning on the light sources 801,802 via the network 1000.

Note that the light sources 801, 802 are desirably installed on theceiling of the rooms 101, 102. Since this will enable more appliances inthe same room to detect light, it will be possible to identify moreappliances as appliances existing in the same room.

Moreover, desirably, a plurality of light sources are installed at aplurality of locations in the rooms 101, 102. It is thereby possible toidentify more appliances as appliances existing in the same room.Moreover, desirably, among the plurality of light sources, at least onelight source is installed on the ceiling of the room 101 and at leastanother light source is installed on the floor of the room 101. It isthereby possible to identify more appliances as appliances existing inthe same room.

Moreover, desirably, a plurality of light sources that respectively emitlight of different wavelengths are installed in the room 101. It isthereby possible to identify more appliances as appliances existing inthe same room even in cases where the wavelength of light that can bedetected by each appliance is different.

Moreover, desirably, the plurality of light sources installed at aplurality of locations are turned on or turned off in sync. Since theintensity of light that can be obtained by the respective appliances inthe same room will increase, appliances existing in the same room can bemore accurately identified. Thus, each of the plurality of light sourcesinstalled at a plurality of locations are desirably the light source 801comprising the light emitting unit 800, the communication unit 810, andthe control unit 820, respectively. Moreover, the light source 801 andthe light source 802 are desirably connected to the cloud server 104 viathe network 1000. It is thereby possible to facilitate the control ofturning on or turning off the light sources in sync.

Moreover, when the information providing system comprises the lightsource 801 and the light source 802, desirably, the light sources 801,802 temporally change the light intensity. It is thereby possible toidentify the appliances existing in the same room more accurately.

Moreover, the light sources 801, 802 may be lit intermittently. It isthereby possible to identify the appliances existing in the same roomeven more accurately. Here, intermittent lighting is, for example, asshown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 described later, to temporally change thelight output upon lighting the light sources (blinking drive).

Moreover, upon temporally changing the light intensity of the lightsources 801, 802, it is desirable to change the light intensity of thelight sources 801, 802 periodically, and also to change the cyclethereof. Moreover, upon intermittently lighting the light sources 801,802, it is desirable to intermittently light the light sources 801, 802periodically, and also to change the cycle thereof. It is therebypossible to prevent the erroneous identification of appliances in thesame room caused by, for example, periodically electric noise andoptical noise, and it is thereby possible to identify the appliancesexisting in the same room even more accurately.

Moreover, when visible light is used, the information providing systemdesirably comprises a light source capable of generating light having abrightness of at least 1 lux or more as the light that will reach thelight intensity detection unit 340 a of the respective appliances. It isthereby possible to identify the appliances existing in the same roomeven more accurately, and, simultaneously, the user can use the lightsource as an illumination.

Moreover, the brightness of the light source is desirably 100 lux ormore. The light source can thereby also function as an illuminationcapable of providing to the user a brightness which enables theperformance of general home tasks.

Moreover, the brightness of the light source is desirably 10,000 lux orless. It is thereby possible to alleviate the glare that is felt by theuser.

Moreover, desirably, at least a part of the ceiling, wall and floor ofthe room 101 is able to scatter light. Since more appliances can therebydetect light, it is thereby possible to identify more appliances asappliances existing in the same room even. As the surface for scatteringlight, desirably used is a surface that is subject to patternedindentation treatment of the same level as the optical wavelength, or asurface that contains particles of the same level as the opticalwavelength and is subject to antireflection treatment. Since moreuniform scattering of light is thereby enabled, it is thereby possibleto identify more appliances as appliances existing in the same room.

Moreover, desirably, at least a part of the ceiling, wall and floor ofthe rooms 101, 102 is provided with a coating for increasing thereflectance of the light emitted from the light sources 801, 802. Sincethe intensity of light that is detected by the respective appliances canthereby be increased, it is thereby possible to identify the appliancesexisting in the same room more accurately. Note that, as the coatingmaterial, oleaginous silicon or Skill Titanium may be used.

Moreover, desirably, the information providing system comprises adetection unit for detecting the opening/closing of the entrance oflight such as the doors or curtains in the rooms 101, 102. Consequently,by the respective appliances detecting the light that enters the room asa result of the door or the curtain being opened, it is thereby possibleto identify the appliances existing in the same room more accurately.

Moreover, while the foregoing explanation described a method ofidentifying the appliances existing in the same room by detecting light(visible light), since light is a type of electromagnetic wave, otherelectromagnetic waves such as infrared rays, ultraviolet rays ormicrowaves may also be used for identifying the appliances existing inthe same room.

However, visible light, infrared rays or ultraviolet rays are desirablyused since the appliances existing in the same room can be identifiedleast expensively and accurately. In particular, the use of visiblelight is desirable since it is possible to identifying the appliancesexisting in the same room with minimal power consumption. Moreover,infrared rays or microwaves may also be used, and in such a caseappliances existing in the same room can be identified even at a timingwhen the irradiation of visible light is undesirable such as while theuser is sleeping in the room 101.

Moreover, by using infrared rays, since the infrared rays emitted fromthe human body is detected by the respective appliances at the timingthat the user enters the room 101, the light intensity detection unit340 a can substitute a pyroelectric sensor for detecting the human bodywithout having to comprise a special light detection unit. This realizesa method of identifying appliances in the same room capable of detectingthe human body.

Moreover, the light intensity detection unit 340 a detectselectromagnetic waves of a plurality of wavelengths such as detectingvisible light and infrared light, or detecting visible light andmicrowaves. It is thereby possible to identify more appliances asappliances existing in the same room.

For example, even in cases when the light intensity detection unit 340 aof the appliance 101 a only detects infrared rays and the lightintensity detection unit 340 a of the appliance 101 c only detectsvisible light, if the light intensity detection unit 340 a of theappliance 101 b detects both visible light and infrared rays, the threeappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c can be identified as appliance existingin the same room.

Moreover, the respective appliances may also detect the infrared raysthat are emitted from a remote controller for remotely controllingappliances such as a TV or an optical disc recorder. It is therebypossible to detect appliances existing in the same room lessexpensively.

(Appliance Identification Unit 2001 b)

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the respectiveappliances in a case where the control unit 321 of the cloud server 104comprises the appliance identification unit 2001 b. The appliances 101a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b disposed in the room 101 and the room 102respectively comprise a sound detection unit 340 b as the detection unit340.

The sound detection unit 340 b of the appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 cdetects the sound in the room 101 as the environmental information ofthe room 101. Moreover, the sound detection unit 340 b of the appliances102 a, 102 b detects the sound in the room 102 as the environmentalinformation of the room 102. The sound detection unit 340 b isconfigured, for example, from a microphone using a coil, a capacitor, ora piezoelectric material. Consequently, by comparing the time change ofthe frequency characteristics or the sound pressure detected by therespective appliances, the appliance identification unit 2001 b canidentify (detect) that the respective appliances are appliances that areinstalled in the same room.

The environmental information includes information relating to the timethat the plurality of appliances have detected a change in sound. Theappliance identification unit 2001 b determines one or more appliances,among the plurality of appliances, in which the time that the change insound has been detected is the same, as appliances that are installed inthe same room.

The method of the appliance identification unit 2001 b detecting devicesin the same room is now explained in detail.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for identifying the appliances in the same room bydetecting sound. While the operation of the information providing systemshown in FIG. 11 is the same as the operation of the informationproviding system for identifying appliances in the same room bydetecting the light intensity as shown in FIG. 6, the difference is inthat, in step S1110, the respective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102a, 102 b detect the change in sound.

In step S1110, the sound detection unit 340 b of the respectiveappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b detects the change insound. The timing that the sound detection unit 340 b detects the changein sound may be any timing. For example, the sound detection unit 340 bmay detect the timing that the value of change in the sound waveform orfrequency exceeds a predetermined threshold within a given period oftime. Moreover, for appliances that comprise the control unit 320, thesound detection unit 340 b may detect the sound waveform or frequencycharacteristics for each given period of time, and the control unit 320may create a table relating to the time that the sound waveform orfrequency characteristics were detected and the transition of thedetected sound waveform or frequency characteristics.

The processing of step S1120 and step S1130 is the same as theprocessing of step S620 and step S630 in FIG. 6, and the applianceidentification unit 2001 b of the cloud server 104 identifies theappliances that are located in the same room based on the timeinformation sent from the respective appliances.

As a result of the appliance identification unit 2001 b identifying theappliances existing in the same room based on sound as described above,it is possible to identify that appliances such as a mobile phone or arobotic cleaner capable of moving between a plurality of rooms orappliances that are not connected to a circuit breaker exist in the sameroom. With the identification method using sound, it is also possible toassess the positional relationship of the respective appliances in theroom. This will be explained later during the explanation of theappliance position detection unit 2003.

Moreover, the appliance identification unit 2001 b may also identifyappliances in which the time that the sound pressure exceeded apredetermined threshold as appliances that are installed in the sameroom in substitute for comparing the value of change in the soundwaveform or frequency.

Moreover, based on a similar reason as in the case of using light (caseof the control unit 321 comprising the appliance identification unit2001 a), the information providing system desirably comprises a soundsource for generating sound in the room 101 or the room 102.

The sound source desirably includes plurality of sound sources in whichthe frequency characteristics of the generated sound are different.

In addition, the information providing system may also comprise a mobileappliance that outputs sound and moves between a plurality of roomswithin the building. A mobile appliance is, for example, a portableappliance such as a portable terminal (smartphone) or a vacuum cleaner(robotic cleaner). Here, the appliance identification unit 2001 a causesthe mobile appliance, which moves between a plurality of rooms withinthe building, to output sound. The environmental information includesinformation relating to the time that the plurality of appliances havedetected a change in the sound output by the mobile appliance. Theappliance identification unit 2001 a determines one or more appliances,among the plurality of appliances, in which the time that the change insound has been detected is the same, as appliances that are installed inthe same room.

Moreover, the information providing system concurrently use theappliance identification unit 2001 a and the appliance identificationunit 2001 b. For example, when there is an appliance comprising both thelight intensity detection unit 340 a for detecting the light intensityand the sound detection unit 340 b for detecting the sound, even incases when an appliance comprising only the light intensity detectionunit 340 a and an appliance comprising only the sound detection unit 340b exist in the same room, it is possible to identify the respectiveappliances as appliances existing in the same room. For example, even incases where the appliance 101 a comprises only the sound detection unit340 b and the appliance 101 c comprises only the light intensitydetection unit 340 a, as a result of the appliance 101 b comprising boththe light intensity detection unit 340 a and the sound detection unit340 b, the three appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c can be identified asexisting in the same room.

Needless to say, the information providing system desirably comprisesappliances which comprise a plurality of appliance identification unitsand are connected to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000 such asappliances capable of detecting both microwaves and sound.

(Appliance Identification Unit 2001 c)

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the respectiveappliances in a case where the control unit 321 of the cloud server 104comprises the appliance identification unit 2001 c. The appliances 101a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b disposed in the room 101 and the room 102respectively comprise a temperature detection unit 340 c as thedetection unit 340.

The temperature detection unit 340 c of the appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101c detects the temperature in the room 101 as the environmentalinformation of the room 101. Moreover, the temperature detection unit340 c of the appliances 102 a, 102 b detects the temperature in the room102 as the environmental information of the room 102. The temperaturedetection unit 340 c is configured, for example, from a thermistor or athermocouple. Consequently, by comparing the time change of thetemperature detected by the respective appliances, the applianceidentification unit 2001 c can identify (detect) that the respectiveappliances are appliances that are installed in the same room.

The environmental information includes information relating to the timethat the plurality of appliances have detected a change in temperature.The appliance identification unit 2001 c determines one or moreappliances, among the plurality of appliances, in which the time thatthe change in temperature has been detected is the same, as appliancesthat are installed in the same room.

The method of the appliance identification unit 2001 c detecting devicesin the same room is now explained in detail.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for identifying the appliances in the same room bydetecting temperature. While the operation of the information providingsystem shown in FIG. 13 is the same as the operation of the informationproviding system for identifying appliances in the same room bydetecting the light intensity as shown in FIG. 6, the difference is inthat, in step S1310, the respective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102a, 102 b detect the change in temperature.

In step S1310, the temperature detection unit 340 c of the respectiveappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 102 a, 102 b detects the change intemperature. The timing that the temperature detection unit 340 cdetects the change in temperature may be any timing. For example, thetemperature detection unit 340 c may detect the timing that the value ofchange in the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold within agiven period of time. Moreover, for appliances that comprise the controlunit 320, the temperature detection unit 340 c may detect thetemperature for each given period of time, and the control unit 320 maycreate a waveform indicating the time change of the detectedtemperature.

The processing of step S1320 and step S1330 is the same as theprocessing of step S620 and step S630 in FIG. 6, and the applianceidentification unit 2001 c of the cloud server 104 identifies theappliances that are located in the same room based on the timeinformation sent from the respective appliances.

As a result of the appliance identification unit 2001 c identifying theappliances existing in the same room based on temperature as describedabove, it is possible to identify that appliances such as a mobile phoneor a robotic cleaner capable of moving between a plurality of rooms orappliances that are not connected to a circuit breaker exist in the sameroom. With the identification method using temperature, appliances inthe same room can be detected less expensively than the identificationmethod using light or sound. Moreover, when temperature is used,detection for a given period of time is required since the change intemperature takes more time in comparison to light or sound.

Moreover, appliances that internally generate heat desirably comprise aplurality of temperature detection units in which the distance from theinternal heat generation unit is each different. Since it is therebypossible to measure the temperature of the room more accurately, it isthereby possible to detect appliances existing in the same room moreaccurately.

For example, the appliances may comprise a first temperature detectionunit disposed at a position that is near the heat generation unit, and asecond temperature detection unit disposed at a position in which thedistance from the heat generation unit is farther than the firsttemperature detection unit. In the foregoing case, by setting (storing)in advance (1) the thermal resistance between the heat generation unitand the first temperature detection unit, (2) the thermal resistancebetween the first temperature detection unit and the indoor environment,(3) the thermal resistance between the heat generation unit and thesecond temperature detection unit, and (4) the thermal resistancebetween the second temperature detection unit and the indoorenvironment, the indoor temperature can be measured more accurately evenwhen the appliances internally comprise a heat generation unit.

Moreover, based on a similar reason as in the case of using light orsound, the information providing system desirably comprises a device forchanging the room temperature in the room 101. It is thereby possible toidentify the appliances existing in the same room more accurately. Asthe device for changing the room temperature, used may be, for example,a heater, an oil stove or an air-conditioner.

Moreover, a blower device for unifying the room temperature in the roomis desirably installed in the room 101. It is thereby possible toidentify the appliances existing in the same room more accurately.

Moreover, based on the same reasons described above, the appliancescomprise both the light intensity detection unit 340 a for detecting theintensity of light (electromagnetic waves), and the temperaturedetection unit 340 c. Moreover, the appliances desirably comprise boththe sound detection unit 340 b and the temperature detection unit 340 c.In addition, the appliance desirably comprise the light intensitydetection unit 340 a, the sound detection unit 340 b and the temperaturedetection unit 340 c.

(Room Position Detection Unit 2002)

The room position detection unit 2002 for detecting the positionalrelationship of the respective rooms is now explained. By assessing thepositional relationship of the respective rooms in the building inaddition to assessing the appliance group that is installed in the sameroom, the appliances can be controlled based on the positionalrelationship of the respective rooms.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system a case where the control unit 321 of the cloud server104 comprises a room position detection unit 2002. As shown in FIG. 14,desirably, at least one appliance in each room comprises thecommunication unit 310 and the sound detection unit 340 b. For example,the appliance 101 a in the room 101 and the appliance 102 a in the room102 may both comprise the sound detection unit 340 b. In the foregoingcase, the other appliances 101 b, 101 c, 102 b are not required toinclude the sound detection unit 340 b. Since sound is conveyed beyondthe room, so as long as the appliance 101 a in the room 101 and theappliance 102 a in the room 102 both comprise the sound detection unit340 b, it is possible to know the positional relationship of the room101 and the room 102. The sound detection unit 340 b is configured, forexample, from a microphone using a coil, a capacitor or a piezoelectricmaterial.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 14, desirably, a sound source 1401 isdisposed in at least one room of either the room 101 or the room 102.The sound source 1401 may also be disposed in a space outside the room101 and the room 102. Moreover, the sound source 1401 comprises a soundproduction unit 1400 for generating sound. Moreover, the sound source1401 may also comprise a communication unit 1410 and a control unit1420, and may also be communicably connected to the cloud server 104 viathe network 1000. As the sound source 1401, any device comprising afunction for generating sound may be used, and, for example, a speakeror a buzzer may be used.

The room position detection unit 2002 is now described in detail. FIG.15 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for detecting the positional relationship of therespective rooms.

Foremost, in step S1510, the sound production unit 1400 of the soundsource 1401 generates sound. The method of the sound production unit1400 generating sound may be of any method. Moreover, there is noparticular limitation in the timing of the sound production unit 1400generating sound. For example, the communication unit 1410 of the soundsource 1401 may receive an instruction for generating sound from thecloud server 104, and the sound production unit 1400 may therebygenerate sound according to the instruction from the cloud server 104.

Subsequently, in step S1520, the sound detection unit 340 b of theappliance 101 a detects the change in sound. The processing of the sounddetection unit 340 b detecting the change in sound is the same as theprocessing in step S1110 of FIG. 11.

Subsequently, in step S1530, the communication unit 310 of the appliance101 a sends to the cloud server 104 the time information indicating thetime that the change in sound has been detected.

Subsequently, in step S1540, the sound detection unit 340 b of theappliance 102 a detects the change in sound. The processing of the sounddetection unit 340 b detecting the change in sound is the same as theprocessing in step S1110 of FIG. 11.

Subsequently, in step S1550, the communication unit 310 of the appliance102 a sends to the cloud server 104 the time information indicating thetime that the change in sound has been detected.

Here, the timing that the appliance 101 a detects the change in sound instep S1520 and the timing that the appliance 102 a detects the change insound in step S1540 are different. In other words, when the sound source1401 is disposed in the room 101, the appliance 101 a will detect thechange in sound faster than the appliance 102 a.

Here, the processing of step S1530 may also be performed after theprocessing of step S1540.

Subsequently, in step S1560, the room position detection unit 2002 ofthe cloud server 104 detects the position between the rooms based on thetime information sent from the respective appliances.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the time information that issent to the cloud server 104. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the sounddetection unit 340 b of the appliance 101 a detected the change in soundat 07:15:32:40, and the light intensity detection unit 340 a of theappliance 102 a detected the change in sound at 07:15:32:52.

The room position detection unit 2002 of the cloud server 104 detectsthe positional relationship of the room 101 and the room 102 based onthe time information shown in FIG. 16. In other words, in the foregoingcase, since the appliance 101 a detected the sound faster than theappliance 102 a, it can be calculated that the room 101 where theappliance 101 a exists is the same room as where the sound source 1401exists, and the room 102 where the appliance 102 a exists is differentfrom the room where the sound source 1401 exists. The method of the roomposition detection unit 2002 of the cloud server 104 calculating theposition between the rooms is not limited to the foregoing method. Forexample, the communication unit 1410 of the sound source 1401 may sendto the cloud server 104 the sound production time information indicatingthe sound production time that the sound source 1401 generated thesound, and the room position detection unit 2002 can more accuratelycalculate the position of the rooms by comparing the received soundproduction time information with the time information shown in FIG. 16.

Moreover, the room position detection unit 2002 can also calculate thedistance between the sound source 1401 and the appliance 101 a and thedistance between the sound source 1401 and the appliance 102 a based onthe time that the sound was generated and the time that the change insound has been detected.

It is thereby possible to clarify the positional relationship of therespective rooms even in a building in which the accuracy of the GPS(Global Positioning System) is low.

Moreover, the sound source 1401 desirably comprises a communication unit1410 and a control unit 1420. It is thereby possible to identify theappliances existing in the same room at an arbitrary timing via thenetwork 1000.

Moreover, it is also possible to identify whether the respectiveappliances exist in the same room or different rooms based on theloudness of the sound detected by the respective appliances.

Moreover, the respective appliances desirably comprise timers that aremutually in sync. Since the time that the sound has been detected can beaccurately compared, it is thereby possible to assess the positionalrelationship of the respective rooms more accurately.

Moreover, a plurality of sound sources are desirably installed atmutually different locations within the home (building). Note that theplurality of sound sources are desirably connected to the network 1000.Since the distance from the respective sound sources to the respectiveappliances can be known, it is thereby assess the positionalrelationship of the respective appliances (respective rooms) in the homemore accurately.

Moreover, the plurality of sound source are desirably disposed atlocations of mutually different heights. It is thereby possible toassess the height (which floor the room is on) of the respectiveappliances (respective rooms) in the home, and also assess the height(floor) of the respective rooms in the home.

Moreover, the plurality of sound sources of different heights aredesirably installed in the same appliance. It is thereby possible toassess the height of the respective appliances (respective rooms) moreaccurately.

Moreover, more desirably, the plurality of sound sources of differentheights are positioned closely in the horizontal direction. In order tocause the positions in the horizontal direction to coincide as much aspossible, the plurality of sound sources are desirably installed in oneappliance in an integrated manner. Moreover, the appliance comprisingthe plurality of sound sources of different heights is desirably anappliance in which the installation surface is designated so that it isinstalled in a predetermined direction (vertical direction). It isthereby possible to assess the height of the respective appliances(respective rooms) even more accurately.

Moreover, the appliance comprising the plurality of sound sources ofdifferent heights desirably comprises a notification unit for detectingthat the designated installation surface is not in contact with thefloor and notifying a warning or the like to the user. It is therebypossible to assess the height of the respective appliances moreaccurately.

Moreover, the information providing system desirably comprises a mobilesound source that moves within the home (building). As a result of thesound source moving from room to room in the home (building) andgenerating sound, the positional relationship of a plurality of roomscan be more accurately assess with a single sound source.

Moreover, the mobile sound source desirably acquires informationrelating to its current position based on the sound generated from asound source having a fixed installation location within the home orbased on its own movement history. It is thereby possible to assess theposition of the respective appliances (respective rooms) moreaccurately.

Moreover, the mobile sound source desirably comprises a laser lightsource for assessing the shape of the rooms in the home. It is therebypossible to assess the position of the appliances in the home in ashorter period of time.

Moreover, the information providing system may comprise a mobile lightsource or a mobile microwave source in substitute for the mobile soundsource. In the foregoing case, as with the mobile sound source describedabove, the light intensity detection unit or the microwave detectionunit of the respective appliances can assess the positional relationshipof the respective rooms by detecting the light or microwaves that areoutput from the mobile light source or the microwave source.

However, when there is an area in the home where the entry of the mobilesound source or the mobile microwave source is prohibited, theinformation providing system desirably comprises the mobile sound sourceor the mobile microwave source since the position of appliances that areinstalled in such areas where entry is prohibited can also be assessed.

Moreover, appliances existing in the same room can be assessed moreaccurately with the mobile light source.

Moreover, in a multi-level home (building), desirably, at least onesound source is installed on each floor. It is thereby possible toassess the position of the respective appliances more accurately.

Moreover, the appliances disposed in different rooms may also comprise amicrowave detection unit for detecting microwaves in substitute for thesound detection unit 340 b.

Similar to the case of using sound, since the distance from themicrowave source to the respective appliances can be known, it ispossible to assess the positional relationship of the respectiveappliances (respective rooms) in the home.

Nevertheless, in comparison to sound, with microwaves, it is moredifficult to measure the distance from the source to the respectiveappliances. Thus, it is more desirable to adopt the position detectionmethod using sound, and the positional relationship of the rooms can beassessed with greater accuracy.

Note that since microwaves are conveyed beyond a soundproof wall, forexample, microwaves are suitable for detecting the position ofappliances installed in a soundproof room.

Moreover, it is more desirable to detect the positional relationship ofthe rooms by using both microwaves and sound. By synchronizing thetimers in the respective appliances based on the timing that themicrowaves emitted from the microwave source are received by theappliances in the respective rooms, the time that the respectiveappliances have detected the change in sound can be compared moreaccurately. In other words, the positional relationship of therespective appliances (respective rooms) can be assessed with greateraccuracy.

(Appliance Position Detection Unit 2003)

The appliance position detection unit 2003 for detecting the positionalrelationship of the respective appliances in the respective rooms is nowexplained. By assessing the position of the respective appliances in therespective rooms in addition to assessing the appliance group that isinstalled in the same room and assessing the positional relationship ofthe respective rooms in the home, the appliances can be controlled ingreater detail. Note that, in the ensuing explanation, an example ofdetecting the position of a plurality of appliances in the room 101 isexplained.

The appliance position detection unit 2003 includes an applianceposition detection unit 2003 a and an appliance position detection unit2003 b.

Here, several methods (appliance position detection unit 2003 a andappliance position detection unit 2003 b) for detecting the position ofappliances in the same room are explained.

(Appliance Position Detection Unit 2003 a)

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in a case where the control unit 321 of the cloudserver 104 comprises the appliance position detection unit 2003 a. FIG.17 shows an example where the appliance 101 a, the appliance 101 b, theappliance 101 c, the appliance 101 d and an imaging device 1701 areinstalled in the room 101.

The appliance 101 a in the room 101 desirably comprises a communicationunit 310 and a light emitting unit 360 a, the appliance 101 b desirablycomprises a communication unit 310 and a light emitting unit 360 b, theappliance 101 c desirably comprises a communication unit 310 and a lightemitting unit 360 c, and the appliance 101 d desirably comprises acommunication unit 310 and a light emitting unit 360 d.

The light emitting unit 360 a, the light emitting unit 360 b, the lightemitting unit 360 c and the light emitting unit 360 d emit light. Notethat the light emitting unit 360 a, the light emitting unit 360 b, thelight emitting unit 360 c and the light emitting unit 360 d may beconfigured, for example, from an LED or an OLED. Here, for the sake ofexplanation, the respective light emitting units are given the referencenumerals 360 a, 360 b, 360 c and 360 d, but the respective appliancesmay also comprise the same light emitting unit.

Moreover, the imaging device 1701 is installed in the room 101. Theimaging device 1701 desirably comprises an imaging unit 1700, acommunication unit 1710 and a control unit 1720. The imaging device 1701can thereby be connected to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000.There is no particular limitation in the method of connecting theimaging device 1701 to the cloud server 104, and, for example, wirelesscommunication (Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN) or thelike may be used.

The imaging unit 1700 is configured, for example, from an image sensorcomprising an imaging element such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal-OxideSemiconductor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and an optical element.Moreover, the imaging device 1701 is desirably installed at a positionwhere most of the room 101 can be observed (imaged) such as at thecorner or ceiling of the room.

According to this configuration, the light emitting units 360 a, 360 b,360 c, 360 d of the respective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d arecaused to blink, and light from the light emitting units 360 a, 360 b,360 c, 360 d is detected by the imaging device 1701. It is therebypossible to identify the respective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101d as appliances existing in the same room as the imaging device 1701,and assess the positional relationship between the respective appliances101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d and the imaging device 1701. Moreover, whenthe plurality of appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d comprise thecommunication unit 310, the positional relationship of the respectiveappliances can also be assessed.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the room 101 including theimaging device 1701. Installed in the room 101 is the imaging device1701 comprising the communication unit 1710. The imaging device 1701images the respective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d installed inthe room 101. Here, for example, a coffee maker as the appliance 101 a,a rice cooker as the appliance 101 b, a microwave oven as the appliance101 c, and a refrigerator as the appliance 101 d are installed withinthe imaging area of the imaging device 1701. Each of the appliances 101a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d comprises at least one of the light emittingunits 360 a, 360 b, 360 c, 360 d. The respective appliances 101 a, 101b, 101 c, 101 d and the imaging device 1701 installed in the room 101are respectively connected to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000through the communication units 310 and 1710.

The method of detecting the location of appliances with the applianceposition detection unit 2003 a is now explained with reference to FIG.19.

FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for detecting the positional relationship of aplurality of appliances in the same room.

Foremost, in step S1901, the communication unit 311 of the cloud server104 sends to the respective appliances 101 a to 101 d and the imagingdevice 1701, a position detection start signal for starting the positiondetection mode of detecting the positional relationship of the pluralityof appliances in the same room. The position detection start signal maybe sent at the timing designated by the user, or at a predeterminedtiming.

Subsequently, in step S1902, the appliance 101 a, the appliance 101 b,the appliance 101 c and the appliance 101 d that received the positiondetection start signal start the intermittent lighting of the lightemitting units 360 a to 360 d based on an intermittent pattern that ispreset for each appliance. Here, the intermittent pattern is desirably apattern that is different for each appliance. Thus, the intermittentpattern does not need to be preset for appliance, and the cloud server104 may send a command the respective appliances for engaging inintermittent lighting each in a different intermittent pattern.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the intermittent pattern ofcausing the light emitting unit to emit light intermittently, and FIG.21 is a diagram showing another example of the intermittent pattern ofcausing the light emitting unit to emit light intermittently.

Here, to light the light source at an intermittent pattern is, forexample, as shown in FIG. 20, to temporally change the light output uponlighting the light sources (blinking drive). Moreover, as a differentintermittent pattern for each appliance, for example, (1) the cycle ofON and OFF of the light source of each appliance may differ, or (2) theratio of the ON time and OFF time of the light source for each appliancemay differ. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 21, it is desirable to use anintermittent pattern in which the ratio of the ON time and OFF time at aplurality of cycles is not constant. It is thereby possible to identifythe position of the respective appliances more accurately.

Subsequently, in step S1903, the imaging unit 1700 of the imaging device1701 that received the position detection start signal starts imaging animage in the room 101. The imaging of the image is preferably a methodof imaging a plurality of images periodically or successively. Moreover,the cloud server 104 may also designate the time of imaging the imagesand the number of images to be imaged. FIG. 19 shows an example ofperiodically imaging the images at given time intervals.

Note that the timing of step S1903 and step S1902 may be immediatelyafter the cloud server 104 sends a signal to the respective appliancesin step S1901, or the timing that is set by the respective appliances.Moreover, the cloud server 104 may also instruct the timing of startingthe intermittent lighting in step S1930 in the timing of starting theimaging in step S1920 to the respective appliance.

Subsequently, in step S1904, the communication unit 1710 of the imagingdevice 1701 sends the images that were imaged in step S1903 to the cloudserver 104. While not shown, the main memory 331 of the cloud server 104successively stores the sent images.

Subsequently, in step S1905, the appliance position detection unit 2003a of the cloud server 104 determines whether the position of therespective appliances can be detected.

Subsequently, when it is determined in step S1905 that the position ofthe respective appliances cannot be detected, in step S1906, thecommunication unit 311 of the cloud server 104 send a command to theimaging device 1701 for performing imaging once again.

Then, the series of processing of steps S1903 to S1906 are repeateduntil the cloud server 104 can detect the position of the respectiveappliances (steps S1907 to S1913).

Note that the position of appliances can also be detected according to amethod other than the processing of repeating the series of processingdescribed above. For example, the imaging device 1701 may alsocollectively send a plurality of images to the cloud server 104 after aplurality of images are imaged continuously for a given period of time.

When it is determined in step S1913 that the location of the respectiveappliances can be detected, in step S1914, the communication unit 311 ofthe cloud server 104 sends a command to the appliance 101 a, theappliance 101 b, the appliance 101 c, the appliance 101 d and theimaging device 1701 for ending the position detection mode and endingthe intermittent lighting.

In step S1915, the light emitting units 360 a to 360 d of the appliance101 a, the appliance 101 b, the appliance 101 c and the appliance 101 drespectively end the intermittent lighting.

Subsequently, in step S1916, the communication unit 310 of the appliance101 a, the appliance 101 b, the appliance 101 c and the appliance 101 dsends to the cloud server 104 identifying information such as the modelnumber and the serial number for identifying the respective appliances,and information relating to the intermittent pattern that was beingexecuted by the respective appliances. Note that, when the cloud server104 had sent in advance a command for intermittent lighting each basedon a different intermittent pattern to the respective appliances 101 ato 101 d, the processing of step S1916 is omitted.

Finally, in step S1917, the appliance position detection unit 2003 a ofthe cloud server 104 compares the identifying information andinformation relating to the intermittent pattern sent from therespective appliances with the plurality of images sent from the imagingdevice 1701, and specifies the position of the respective appliances bycalculating the position corresponding to the pixels in which the timechange is as per the intermittent pattern. Here, in step S1917, theappliance position detection unit 2003 a of the cloud server 104 mayalso calculate the position corresponding to the pixels that are subjectto the time change by performing simple image processing to therespective images.

Moreover, in FIG. 18, while the imaging device 1701 is installedindependently in the room 101, a lighting apparatus may be mountedthereon. Moreover, the imaging device 1701 may also comprise a lightemitting unit. Since the appliance in which the position thereof cannotbe assessed by the imaging device 1701 will become evident to the user,the user can move that application to a position where the position ofthat appliance can be assessed by the imaging device 1701. In otherwords, since an appliance to which the light emitted from the lightingapparatus does not reach the light emitting unit; that is, an appliancein which the light emitting unit is overshadowed can be assessed by theuser, the position of that appliance can be assessed by moving thatappliance to a position where the light emitted from the lightingapparatus will reach the light emitting unit. It is thereby possible toassess more appliances existing in the same room.

Moreover, the imaging device 1701 may also comprise a function ofdetecting fire and notifying a fire to the user. It is thereby possibleto notify the indication of fire to the user sooner than a heatsensor-type or smoke sensor-type fire alarm. Thus, the imaging device1701 may detect infrared rays, particularly far infrared rays exceeding6 μm, and when the amount of detected far infrared rays exceeds apredetermined threshold, detect that a fire has occurred in the roomwhere it is installed, and thereby notify the user.

Moreover, a plurality of imaging devices 1701 may also be installed atdifferent positions in the same room. It is thereby possible assess theposition of the respective appliances in the room more accurately andthree-dimensionally.

Moreover, when a plurality of imaging devices 1701 are installed asdescribed above, it is desirable that the plurality of imaging devices1701 assess their mutual positional relationship. Thus, desirably,another imaging device is installed within the imaging area of at leastone imaging device. It is thereby possible to assess the position of therespective appliances more accurately. Moreover, the method of assessingthe position with the intermittent pattern of the light source can alsobe used for the imaging devices to assess their mutual positionalrelationship.

Moreover, the imaging device 1701 may comprise a depth positioninformation acquisition unit for acquiring position information in thedepth direction in order to assess position information in the depthdirection with a single imaging device. As the depth positioninformation acquisition unit, for example, used may be a monocular 3Dcamera that changes the focusing position by changing the position ofthe lens or the imaging element, or a binocular 3D camera thatdetermines the depth from a plurality of images from different imagingpositions.

Moreover, while the foregoing explanation described a method ofassessing the position of the respective appliances by causing the lightemitting units 360 a to 360 d to blink based on an intermittent patternthat is different for each appliance, for example, the respectiveappliances may also comprise a light emitting element that emits lightof a wavelength that is different for each appliance, and the method ofidentifying the respective appliances based on the wavelength of thelight of the light emitting unit may also be adopted.

In the foregoing case, the respective appliances cause the lightemitting units, which have a different wavelength for each appliance, tobe lit (or blink) during the position detection mode, and the imagingdevice 1701 acquires the information relating to the position of therespective light emitting units and the wavelength of the respectivelight emitting units with an imaging element comprising a wavelengthseparating unit such as a color filter or a diffraction grating. Theappliance position detection unit 2003 a calculates the relationship ofthe identifying the information of the respective appliances and theposition of the respective appliances based on a database stored in thecloud server 104 which indicates the relationship of the identifyinginformation for identifying the respective appliances and the wavelengthof the light emitting unit of the respective appliances.

The method of using a different intermittent pattern for each applianceis desirable since it is less inexpensive, but the method of using adifferent wavelength for each appliance is desirable since the framerate of the imaging unit 1700 can be lowered and a low power drive isenabled.

Moreover, the respective appliances may also comprise a display, and thedisplay equipped in the respective appliances may display identifyinginformation (mark such as a two-dimensional bar code or image) foridentifying the respective appliances, and the appliance positiondetection unit 2003 a may assess the position of the respectiveappliances from the identifying information included in the image thatwas imaged by the imaging device.

The method of using a different intermittent pattern for each applianceis desirable since it is less inexpensive, but the method of using adisplay for displaying identifying information is desirable since theframe rate of the imaging unit 1700 can be lowered and a low power driveis enabled even more than the method of using a different wavelength foreach appliance.

Moreover, the method of using a different wavelength for each applianceis desirable since the respective appliances can be identifies moreaccurately than the method of using a display for displaying identifyinginformation.

Moreover, it goes without saying that, in substitute for the display,the respective appliances may also comprise a plurality of light sourcesthat are arranged in an array.

Moreover, the light emitted from the light emitting units 360 a to 360 dand the light measured by the imaging device 1701 may be visible light.As described later, this will enable the reduction in cost when theimaging unit 1700 is used to assess the location of a user in the homeand to identify the user.

Moreover, the light emitted from the light emitting units 360 a to 360 dand the light measured by the imaging device 1701 may be near infraredlight. It is thereby possible to assess the position of the respectiveappliances without causing any discomfort to the user in circumstanceswhen it is undesirable to generate visible light such as when the useris sleeping in the room.

(Appliance Position Detection Unit 2003 b)

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in a case where the control unit 321 of the cloudserver 104 comprises the appliance position detection unit 2003 b. FIG.22 shows an example where the appliance 101 a, the appliance 101 b, theappliance 101 c, the appliance 101 d and the thermal radiationdistribution measuring device 2201 are disposed in the room 101.

The appliance 101 a in the room 101 desirably comprises a communicationunit 310 and a thermal radiation quantity estimating unit 370 a, theappliance 101 b desirably comprises a communication unit 310 and athermal radiation quantity estimating unit 370 b, the appliance 101 cdesirably comprises a communication unit 310 and a thermal radiationquantity estimating unit 370 c, and the appliance 101 d desirablycomprises a communication unit 310 and a thermal radiation quantityestimating unit 370 d.

The thermal radiation quantity estimating unit 370 a, the thermalradiation quantity estimating unit 370 b, the thermal radiation quantityestimating unit 370 c and the thermal radiation quantity estimating unit370 d estimate the thermal radiation quantity that is emitted from theappliances. The thermal radiation quantity estimating unit 370 a, thethermal radiation quantity estimating unit 370 b, the thermal radiationquantity estimating unit 370 c and the thermal radiation quantityestimating unit 370 d may be of any configuration so as long as they canestimate the thermal radiation quantity that is emitted from theappliances. The thermal radiation quantity estimating unit 370 a, thethermal radiation quantity estimating unit 370 b, the thermal radiationquantity estimating unit 370 c and the thermal radiation quantityestimating unit 370 d are configured, for example, from a temperaturemeasuring unit such as a thermistor or a thermocouple. The thermalradiation quantity estimating unit 370 a, the thermal radiation quantityestimating unit 370 b, the thermal radiation quantity estimating unit370 c and the thermal radiation quantity estimating unit 370 d canthereby calculate the thermal radiation quantity emitted from therespective appliances from the temperature of the respective appliances.

The communication unit 310 of the respective appliances 101 a to 101 dis connected to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000. For example,communication between the respective appliances 101 a to 101 d and thecloud server 104 is conducted, for example, based on wirelesscommunication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or wireless LAN.

Here, for the sake of explanation, the thermal radiation quantityestimating units are given the reference numerals 370 a, 370 b, 370 cand 370 d, but the respective appliances may also comprise the samethermal radiation quantity estimating unit.

Moreover, the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 isinstalled in the room 101. The thermal radiation distribution measuringdevice 2201 desirably comprises a measuring unit 2200 for measuring thethermal radiation distribution, a communication unit 2210 and a controlunit 2220. The thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 canthereby be connected to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000. Thereis no particular limitation in the method of connecting the thermalradiation distribution measuring device 2201 to the cloud server 104,and, for example, wireless communication (Bluetooth (registeredtrademark) or wireless LAN) or the like may be used.

Moreover, the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 isdesirably installed at a position where most of the room 101 can beobserved such as at the corner or ceiling of the room.

The thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 is configured,for example, from an infrared camera comprising an infrared sensor arrayconfigured from a pyro, a thermopile or a bolometer, and a lens opticalsystem configured from germanium or chalogenide.

According to the foregoing configuration, it is possible to identifythat the respective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d and thethermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 exist in the sameroom based on the information of the thermal radiation distribution inthe room obtained from the thermal radiation distribution measuringdevice 2201, and further assess the positional relationship of therespective appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d and the thermalradiation distribution measuring device 2201. Moreover, when the roomincludes a plurality of appliances, it is also possible to assess thepositional relationship of the respective appliances.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the room 101 including athermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201. The thermalradiation distribution measuring device 2201 is installed in the room101. The thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 measuresthe thermal radiation distribution in the room 101 where the respectiveappliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c, 101 d are installed. Moreover, here, forexample, a coffee maker as the appliance 101 a, a rice cooker as theappliance 101 b, a microwave oven as the appliance 101 c, and arefrigerator as the appliance 101 d are installed within the measurementarea of the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201. Therespective appliances 101 a to 101 d and the imaging device 1701installed in the room 101 are respectively connected to the cloud server104 via the network 1000 through the communication units 310 and 2210.

The method of detecting the location of the appliances with theappliance position detection unit 2003 b is now explained with referenceto FIG. 24.

FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the informationproviding system for detecting the positional relationship of aplurality of appliances in the same room.

Foremost, in step S2401, the communication unit 2210 of the thermalradiation distribution measuring device 2201 periodically sends to thecloud server 104, via the network 1000, the thermal radiation quantity(thermal radiation quantity distribution) measured with the respectiveelements (respective pixels) of the infrared sensor array. While notshown, the main memory 331 of the cloud server 104 successively storesthe sent thermal radiation quantity distribution.

Subsequently, in step S2402, the communication unit 310 of therespective appliances 101 a to 101 d periodically sends to the cloudserver 104, via the network 1000, the identifying information foridentifying the respective appliances 101 a to 101 d and the thermalradiation quantity estimated by the thermal radiation quantityestimating units 370 a to 370 d. While not shown, the main memory 331 ofthe cloud server 104 successively stores the sent identifyinginformation for identifying the respective appliances 101 a to 101 d andthe thermal radiation quantity of the respective appliances 101 a to 101d.

Subsequently, in step S2403, the appliance position detection unit 2003b of the cloud server 104 compares the thermal radiation quantity of therespective pixels obtained from the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring unit 1301, and the data (time change history) of theperiodical thermal radiation quantity obtained from the thermalradiation quantity estimating units 370 a to 370 d of the respectiveappliances 101 a to 101 d, and specifies the position (positionalrelationship) of the respective appliances 101 a to 101 d by calculatingthe strength of correlation.

Note that the appliance position detection unit 2003 b may also detectthe position of the respective appliances based on the same flow as theappliance position detection unit 2003 a shown in FIG. 19.

Desirably, the appliance position detection unit 2003 a can assess theposition (positional relationship) of the respective appliances at anarbitrary timing. Moreover, the appliance position detection unit 2003 bis desirable since it can assess, less expensively, the position(positional relationship) of appliances that are not equipped with alight source.

Moreover, in the position detection method of the respective appliances,upon calculating the thermal radiation quantity from the temperatureobtained with the temperature measuring unit of the respectiveappliances, the thermal radiation quantity is desirably calculated upongiving consideration to the emissivity of the case of the respectiveappliances. It is thereby possible to clarify the position of therespective appliances more accurately.

Thus, for example, a database that associates the respective appliancesand the emissivity of the case of the respective appliances is desirablystored in the main memory 331 of the cloud server 104 connected to thenetwork 1000. Moreover, the respective appliances may also calculate thethermal radiation quantity in consideration of the emissivity of theirown case.

Moreover, as the thermal radiation quantity estimating units 370 a to370 d of the respective appliances, the temperature measuring unitsequipped in the respective appliances are used in the foregoingexplanation, but the thermal radiation quantity estimating units 370 ato 370 d may also estimate the thermal radiation quantity of therespective appliances based on the power that is input to the respectiveappliances (power consumption in the respective appliances).

For example, the thermal radiation quantity estimating units 370 a to370 d measures the power that is input to the respective appliances froman outlet in the home, and the communication unit 310 sends the obtainedinput power to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000. The mainmemory 331 of the cloud server 104 successively stores the sent inputpower of the respective appliances. The appliance position detectionunit 2003 b can thereby calculate the amount of heat generation in therespective appliances. The appliance position detection unit 2003 b mayalso estimate the temperature of the respective appliances and estimatethe thermal radiation quantity of the respective appliances based on thecalculated amount of heat generated in the respective appliances.

In the foregoing case, the appliance position detection unit 2003 bdesirably calculates the amount of heat generated in the respectiveappliances by giving consideration to the conversion efficiency of powerinto thermal energy among the power that is input to the respectiveappliances. It is thereby possible to assess the position of therespective appliances more accurately.

Thus, the cloud server 104 desirably initially registers the amount ofenergy that is converted into energy other than thermal energy for eachappliance, or the respective appliances desirably comprise a functionfor measuring the amount of energy that is converted into energy otherthan thermal energy. For example, when the appliance is a TV, the energyof visible light that is emitted from the screen of the TV is stored(initially registered) in the database of the cloud server 104.Moreover, when the appliance is a radio, the energy of sound that isemitted from the speaker of the radio is stored (initially registered)in the database of the cloud server 104. Moreover, the respectiveappliances may also comprise, as needed, a function for measuring theamount of energy that is converted into energy other than the currentthermal energy. It is thereby possible to calculate the amount of heatgeneration in the respective appliances.

Moreover, with an apparatus comprising a battery, the energy that isused for charging also becomes energy that is converted into energyother than thermal energy. Moreover, contrarily, of the energy obtainedfrom the battery, energy that is converted into thermal energy willcause heat generation in the respective appliances other than from theinput power from the outlet. Thus, an appliance comprising a batterydesirably comprises a function for measuring the energy ofcharging/discharging. Based on similar reasons, an appliance comprisinga power generation unit such as a solar cell desirably comprises afunction for measuring the electric power generation.

Moreover, the temperature of the respective appliances can be calculatedmore accurately by giving consideration to the thermal resistance fromthe heat source in the respective appliances to the case, and thethermal resistance from the case to the indoor air.

The method of using the temperature measuring unit is desirable sincethe position of the respective appliances can be assessed moreaccurately. Moreover, the method of using the input power measuring unitis desirable since a temperature sensor is no longer required and theposition of the respective appliances can be assessed less expensively.

Moreover, as a simpler method, the position of the respective appliancescan be specified by comparing the timing of increase/decrease in theinput power (power consumption) of the respective appliances and thetiming of increase/decrease in the thermal radiation quantity measuredwith the respective pixels of the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring unit 1301.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount ofthermal radiation emitted from the case of an arbitrary appliance A, andthe power that is input to the arbitrary appliance A. As shown in FIG.25, it can be seen that the thermal radiation quantity 2702 isincreasing/decreasing pursuant to the increase/decrease of the inputpower 2701. However, as also evident from FIG. 25, there is a slightdelay between the timing of increase/decrease in the input power 2701and the timing of increase/decrease in the thermal radiation quantity2702. This delay time affects the heat capacity of the respectiveappliances. Thus, desirably, the heat capacity of the respectiveappliances, or the delay time between the increase/decrease in the inputpower of the respective appliances and the increase/decrease in thethermal radiation quantity is stored (initially registered) in thedatabase of the cloud server 104. It is thereby possible to assess theposition of the respective appliances more accurately.

However, the method of estimating the thermal radiation quantity of therespective appliances from the input power is desirable since theposition of the appliances can be detected with greater accuracy.

Moreover, in FIG. 23, while the thermal radiation distribution measuringdevice 2201 is installed independently in the room 101, a lightingapparatus may be mounted thereon. Moreover, the thermal radiationdistribution measuring device 2201 may also comprise a light emittingunit. Since the appliance in which the position thereof cannot beassessed by the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201will become evident to the user, the user can move that application to aposition where the position of that appliance can be assessed by thethermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201. In other words,since an appliance to which the light emitted from the lightingapparatus does not reach the light emitting unit; that is, an appliancein which the light emitting unit is overshadowed can be assessed by theuser, the position of that appliance can be assessed by moving thatappliance to a position where the light emitted from the lightingapparatus will reach the light emitting unit. It is thereby possible toassess more appliances existing in the same room.

Moreover, a plurality of thermal radiation distribution measuringdevices 2201 may be installed at different positions in the same room.It is thereby possible assess the position of the respective appliancesin the room more accurately and three-dimensionally.

Moreover, when a plurality of thermal radiation distribution measuringdevices 2201 are installed as described above, it is desirable that theplurality of thermal radiation distribution measuring devices 2201assess their mutual positional relationship. Thus, desirably, anotherthermal radiation distribution measuring device is installed within themeasurement area of at least one thermal radiation distributionmeasuring device. It is thereby possible to assess the position of therespective appliances more accurately. Moreover, the method of at leastone thermal radiation distribution measuring device comprising thethermal radiation quantity estimating unit and assessing the positionalrelationship of the appliances described above and also be adopted uponassessing the positional relationship of the thermal radiationdistribution measuring devices.

Moreover, the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 mayalso be equipped with an air-conditioner. Moreover, the thermalradiation distribution measuring device 2201 may also comprise a blowerunit for generating at least cool air or warm air toward a specificdirection. For example, with regard to a certain appliance A, when theaccurate position information thereof has not been obtained, the blowerunit blows cool air (or warm air) to the respective positions in theroom, and monitors the change in the temperature measuring unit of theappliance A. In other words, the blower unit blows air of a temperaturethat is different from the room temperature toward the arbitraryappliance A. It is thereby possible to assess the position of theappliance A accurately.

Moreover, the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 mayalso comprise a function of detecting fire and notifying a fire to theuser. It is thereby possible to notify the indication of fire to theuser sooner than a heat sensor-type or smoke sensor-type fire alarm.Moreover, the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 mayalso be connected to an alarm activating appliance for emitting an alarmvia the network 1000, and send a signal instructing the emission of analarm to the alarm activating appliance upon the detection of a fire.

Moreover, the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 mayalso be mounted on a fire alarm comprising a communication unit.

Moreover, in order to assess the position information in the depthdirection with a single thermal radiation distribution measuring unit,the thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201 may alsocomprise a depth position information acquisition unit for acquiringposition information in the depth direction. As the depth positioninformation acquisition unit, for example, used may be a monocular 3Dinfrared camera in which the focus position is changed by changing theposition of the lens or infrared sensor array, or a binocular 3Dinfrared camera that determines the depth by using infrared sensorarrays installed at a plurality of different positions.

In order to realize the same configuration as the binocular 3D infraredcamera with one appliance, for example, a thermal image distributionmeasuring device is desirably provided to either end of a householdappliance in the home that is large in the horizontal direction such asa TV or an air-conditioner.

Since the position information in the depth direction can be acquiredwith greater accuracy, it is thereby possible to assess the arrangementof the respective appliances in the home with greater accuracy.

The method of assessing the position of the respective appliances usingthe visible light (imaging device 1701) or the thermal radiation(thermal radiation distribution measuring device 2201) was explainedabove, it is also possible for the appliance position detection unit todetect the position of the respective appliances by the respectiveappliances each sending a unique ultrasonic signal, and the arrayedultrasonic wave measuring device receiving the ultrasonic signal outputfrom the respective appliances.

While the method of using visible light or thermal radiation isdesirable from the perspective of low cost, the method of usingultrasonic waves is desirable with respect to the point of being able toassess the position of more appliances even in rooms including obstaclessince ultrasonic waves can pass through members such as a paper slidingdoor or light scattering substances such as smoke.

Moreover, in order for an imaging device or a thermal radiationdistribution measuring device installed in a specific appliance(air-conditioner or lighting apparatus) within the room to exhibit theeffects of the present invention at an arbitrary timing and enable theassessment of the position of the respective appliances, it is desirablefor the imaging device or the thermal radiation distribution measuringdevice to perform imaging of the room or measure the thermal radiationdistribution in the room even while the air-conditioner or the lightingapparatus, in which it is installed, is not operating.

Moreover, the imaging device or the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring device may comprise a function for assessing the positionalrelationship of the room where it is installed based on the foregoingmethod of detecting the positional relationship of the rooms. It isthereby possible to control the appliances by assessing the positionalrelationship of the respective appliances in the room within the home.

Moreover, the appliance position detection unit 2003 a is desirablesince the position of the respective appliances can be assess in a shortperiod of time, and the appliance position detection unit 2003 b isdesirable since the location of appliances that are not equipped with alight source can also be assessed.

(User Position Detection Unit 2004)

Finally, the method of identifying the positional relationship of theuser and the respective appliances in the respective rooms is explainedbelow. The user of the respective appliances can be assessed byassessing the location of the respective users in addition to assessingthe appliance group that is installed in the same room, assessing thepositional relationship of the respective rooms in the home, andassessing the position of the respective appliances and the respectiverooms. The appliances can be controlled to suit to the user by beingable to assess the user. Here, the method of detection the location of aperson in the room 101 is explained.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the configuration of the informationproviding system in a case where the control unit 321 of the cloudserver 104 comprises the user position detection unit 2004.

As with the case where the control unit 321 comprises the applianceposition detection unit 2003 a, an imaging device 1701 is installed inthe room 101. The imaging device 1701 is desirably installed at aposition where most of the room 101 can be observed (imaged) such as atthe corner or ceiling of the room. Moreover, the imaging device 1701 isdesirably connected to the network 1000.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the room 101 including theimaging device 1701. As shown in FIG. 27, the inside of the room 101 isimaged using the imaging device 1701, and a user 2601 and a user 2602 inthe imaging area are individually identified from the captured image.

By assessing the position of the respective appliances and the locationof the users in the respective rooms, it becomes possible to assess theuser who is operating the respective appliances. For example, the userposition detection unit 2004 specifies the user who is closest to anappliance as the user of that appliance. Consequently, as explained inembodiment 2 onward, it is possible to control appliances and provideinformation in a manner that is more suitable for that individual.

As described above, the communication unit 311 of the cloud server 104receives, via a network, position specifying information for specifyingthe position of a plurality of appliances in a predetermined room andspecifying the location of users in that room. The appliance positiondetection unit 2003 specifies the position of the plurality ofappliances in the room based on the received position specifyinginformation. The user position detection unit 2004 specifies theposition of the users in the room based on the received positionspecifying information.

Note that the position specifying information is the image of the roomthat was imaged by the imaging device 1701. The appliance positiondetection unit 2003 specifies the position of the plurality ofappliances in the room based on the captured image. The user positiondetection unit 2004 specifies the position of the users in the roombased on the captured image.

Moreover, the user position detection unit 2004 specifies the user whois using one or more appliances among the plurality of appliances in theroom based on the specified position of the plurality of appliances andthe specified position of the user. Note that whether a user is usingone or more appliances can be determined by receiving operatinginformation of the appliances. Moreover, the communication unit 311 ofthe cloud server 104 provides information relating to the user to theservice providing apparatus that is providing an arbitrary to thespecified user and the family members of that user. Note that theservice providing apparatus is, for example, the server 121 that isbeing operated by the service provider 120.

Here, as the individual identification method based on images, anindividual identification method that is based on the features of anindividual, such as the face, height or body shape, is used.

Thus, the cloud server 104 desirably stores in advance, in the mainmemory 331, the facial image of the residents of the home where theimaging device 1701 is installed. It is thereby possible to identifyindividuals more accurately.

When identifying individuals based on the height or width of the users2601, 2602 from the images captured by the imaging unit 1700, desirably,a database which records the body shape of information of the respectiveusers in the home, such as the height or waist size, is stored inadvance in the main memory 331 of the cloud server 104 connected to thenetwork 1000. The user position detection unit 2004 can more accuratelyidentify the user included in the image obtained with the imaging unit1700 by referring to the database.

Moreover, the information providing system may also comprise a bodyshape measuring device for measuring the user's body shape. The bodyshape measuring device is desirably installed in the home (building),and desirably comprises a communication unit for connecting to thenetwork 1000. The body shape measuring device is configured, forexample, from a body composition meter or a weight scale.

Moreover, the body shape measuring device desirably comprises a functionfor identifying the individual and storing the measurement results ofthe body shape. It is thereby possible to obtain, for example,information which associates the personal name (or personal ID), and thebody shape such as the height or weight. Thus, it is possible toidentify the user 2601 who was imaged by the imaging device 1701 withouthaving to initially register the user's body shape. The body shapemeasured by the body shape measuring device and the personal name or thepersonal ID are associated.

In other words, the communication unit 311 of the cloud server 104receives information relating to the user's body shape that was measuredwith the body shape measuring device. Subsequently, the user positiondetection unit 2004 specifies the user who is using one or moreappliances among the plurality of appliances in the room based on theinformation relating to the user's body shape and the position of theplurality of appliances and the position of the users.

Moreover, upon identifying individuals based on facial recognition, thecloud server 104 may initially register data of the facial image of eachuser. It is thereby possible to identify the users in the room moreaccurately.

Moreover, the information providing system may also comprise a pedometerdevice to be carried by the user and used for counting the number ofsteps taken by the user. The pedometer device desirably comprising acommunication unit for connecting to the network 1000. The user positiondetection unit 2004 can thereby identify the users 2601, 2602 moreaccurately by comparing the movement of the users 2601, 2602 detected bythe imaging device 1701 and the time in which the total number of stepsincreased as measured by the pedometer device. Thus, the cloud server104 desirably registers in advance the user of the pedometer device.Moreover, it goes without saying that the information providing systemmay also comprise a device such as an activity meter which measures thechange in acceleration in substitute for the pedometer device.

Moreover, the information providing system may also comprise, insubstitute for the pedometer device, a device in which the user thereofhas been identified and which includes a communication unit forconnecting to the network 1000 and which measures the user's heart rate(pulse rate), respiration rate and body temperature.

By utilizing the increase in the heart rate, respiration rate and bodytemperature at the timing that the user's activity increases, the userposition detection unit 2004 can identify the users 2601, 2602 moreaccurately by comparing the timing of increase in the heart rate,respiration rate and body temperature and the timing of the user'smovement that was captured by the imaging device 1701.

Moreover, the information providing system may also comprise a portableterminal in which the user thereof has been identified. The portableterminal comprises a communication unit for connecting to the network1000, and an information acquisition unit for acquiring the currentposition based on information from the GPS or Wi-Fi access point. Here,the cloud server 104 desirably stores the personal name (personal ID) ofthe user who is currently indoors. The portable terminal is configured,for example, from a smartphone or an activity meter.

Since the users who are currently in the home can thereby be identified,the imaging device 1701 can be used to identify the respective usersmore accurately and in a shorter period of time.

Moreover, similarly, an interphone comprising a communication unit mayalso identify the person entering and exiting the home.

While the method of identifying users in the room using the imagingdevice 1701 was explained above, the users in the room may be similarlyidentified using the thermal radiation distribution measuring device.

In other words, the position specifying information may also be thethermal radiation distribution in the room that was measured with thethermal radiation distribution measuring device. In the foregoing case,the appliance position detection unit 2003 specifies the position of theplurality of appliances in the room based on the measured thermalradiation distribution. Moreover, the user position detection unit 2004specifies the position of the users in the room based on the measuredthermal radiation distribution.

In the case of using the thermal radiation distribution measuring devicealso, similar to the case of using the imaging device 1701, the userposition detection unit 2004 can identify the respective users based onthe face, height or body shape, and identify the user of the respectiveappliances.

Moreover, the method of using the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring device is desirable with respect to the point of being able todetect farther users without omission, and the method of using theimaging device is desirable with respect to the point of being able tomore accurately detect closer users.

Moreover, the method of concurrently using the imaging device and thethermal radiation distribution measuring device is even more desirable,and the users at the respective positions in the room can be identifiedmore accurately by adjusting the focus position of the imaging devicebased on the user position information detected by the thermal radiationdistribution measuring device.

Moreover, the user position detection unit 2004 may also use the imagingdevice and the thermal radiation distribution measuring device toidentify the user and, based on the user's posture and movementinformation, determine that the user is sleeping when there is nomovement in a state where the user is lying down for a given period oftime or longer.

Moreover, the imaging device and the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring device desirably detect the facing direction of the user'sface or the position of the user's hand. This is desirable since it willbe possible to know which user is operating which appliance.

Moreover, the imaging device 1701 is desirably installed in a TV. Inorder to avoid recognizing a person displayed on the TV as a user in thehome, it is desirable that the TV is not installed within the imagingrange. As a result of the imaging device 1101 being installed in the TV,it is possible to prevent a person displayed on the TV from beingerroneously detected. It is thereby possible to identify the users inthe room more accurately.

Moreover, the information providing system desirably comprises a thermalradiation distribution measuring device together with an imaging device.The thermal radiation of a person displayed on the TV is the same as theperiphery in the screen, and the thermal radiation of an existing persondiffers from the periphery. Thus, by concurrently using the thermalradiation distribution measuring device and the imaging device, it ispossible to identify individuals more accurately.

Embodiment 2

In embodiment 2, explained are examples of the services provided to theuser using the respective appliances by using the information that hasbeen detected in the information providing system described inembodiment 1. Note that embodiment 2 is merely an example, and does notin any way limit the services that can be provided by the informationproviding system described in embodiment 1.

Based on the appliance identification unit 2001, the room positiondetection unit 2002, the appliance position detection unit 2003 and theuser position detection unit 2004 described in embodiment 1, obtainedare (1) same-room appliance list information (first information), (2)positional relationship information of rooms (second information), (3)appliance position information in rooms (third information) and (4)user's position information (fourth information). Moreover, based on theappliance position information and the user's position information, (5)user information of each appliance (fifth information) is obtained. Asthe remote control service of indoor appliances using the foregoinginformation, the following modes can be considered.

Note that, in the ensuing explanation, the service mode usinginformation including at least one among the first information, thesecond information, the third information, the fourth information andthe fifth information is explained.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the first service mode in which theterminal receives information provided from the service provider, andthe user controls the indoor appliance via the terminal. In the firstservice mode, the first information to fifth information provided fromthe service provider 120 is received by the terminal 105, and the usercontrols the indoor appliances 101 a to 101 c via the terminal 105. Notethat, as shown in FIG. 1, the data center operating company 110 mayexist as a company to manage the cloud server 104, or the serviceprovider 120 may individually manage the cloud server 104. In thisembodiment, there is no particular limitation regarding the service typewith regard to which company or individual is fulfilling the role ofwhich function. The plurality of service types will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 28, in the first service mode, while it is desirable toprovide information using the terminal 105, the method is not limitedthereto. Moreover, the terminal 105 may be one appliance among theappliances existing in the room such as the appliances 101 a to 101 c.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a second service mode in which the serviceprovider determines the control description of the indoor appliance andcontrols the indoor appliance based on the received information andoperating information. The second service provider 130 receives thefirst information to fifth information from the first service provider120. In addition, the second service provider 130 receives the operatinginformation from the indoor appliances 101 a to 101 c. In the secondservice mode, the second service provider 130 determines the controldescription of the indoor appliances 101 a to 101 c and controls theindoor appliances 101 a to 101 c based on the received first informationto fifth information and the operating information.

Note that, in FIG. 29, while the first cloud server 104 a used by thefirst service provider 120 and the second cloud server 104 b used by thesecond service provider 130 are depicted separately, the first serviceprovider 120 and the second service provider 130 may also use the samecloud server. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the data center operatingcompany 110 may exist as a company that manages the first cloud server104 a and the second cloud server 104 b, or the first service provider120 and the second service provider 130 may individually manage thefirst cloud server 104 a and the second cloud server 104 b. In thisembodiment, there is no particular limitation regarding the service typewith regard to which company or individual is fulfilling the role ofwhich function. The plurality of service types will be described later.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a third service mode in which theprocessing of the two service providers of FIG. 29 is performed by oneservice provider. In the third service mode, the processing of the firstservice provider 120 and the second service provider 130 in the secondservice mode described above is performed with a single service provider120. Note that, as shown in FIG. 1, the data center operating company110 may exist as a company that manages the cloud server 104, or theservice provider 120 may individually manage the cloud server 104. Inthis embodiment, there is no particular limitation regarding the servicetype with regard to which company or individual is fulfilling the roleof which function. The plurality of service types will be describedlater.

Specific examples of the first to third service modes are now explained.

Note that, in the foregoing explanation, in order to acquire the thirdinformation, the fourth information and the fifth information, while notshown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the first service provider 120 or the secondservice provider 130 desirably receive the user's position informationbased on the image information obtained with the imaging device or thethermal radiation distribution measuring device.

(Example Relating to First Service Mode)

The first service mode where the terminal 105 receives the firstinformation to fifth information provided from the service provider 120,and the user controls the indoor appliances 101 a to 101 c via theterminal 105 is explained.

FIG. 31 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of providinginformation to the terminal 105 by using the information acquired fromthe appliance identification unit 2001 a in the information providingsystem described in embodiment 1. Note that, without limitation to theappliance identification unit 2001 a, other means described in theinformation providing system described in embodiment 1 may also beapplied.

Since the processing of step S610 to step S630 is the same as in theappliance identification unit 2001 a of embodiment 1, the explanationthereof is omitted.

In step S3100, the cloud server 104 sends to the terminal 105information relating to the respective appliances that were specifiedfor each room.

FIG. 32A is a diagram showing an example of the information that is sentfrom the cloud server 104 to the terminal 105, and FIG. 32B is anotherexample of the information that is sent from the cloud server 104 to theterminal 105. As shown in FIG. 32A, the cloud server 104 may also sendto the terminal 105 all information including the information foridentifying the respective appliances, the room information relating tothe room number where the respective appliances are installed, andinformation relating to the display area upon displaying information onthe terminal side. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 32B, the cloud server 104may also only send the information for identifying the respectiveappliances, and the room information relating to the room number wherethe respective appliances are installed.

Subsequently, in step S3101, the terminal 105 displays, for each roomarea, information relating to the respective appliances based on theinformation received from the cloud server 104. Here, when theinformation shown in FIG. 32A is sent, the control unit 320 of theterminal 105 controls the display unit 350 so as to display informationrelating to the respective appliances in the designated display area.Moreover, when the information shown in FIG. 32B is sent, the controlunit 320 of the terminal 105 determines the display area of the displayunit 350 for each appliance of the respective rooms, and controls thedisplay unit 350 so as to display information relating to the respectiveappliances in the determined display area.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen that isdisplayed on the display unit 350 of the terminal 105 in step S3101 ofFIG. 31. Room frames 3303 a, 3303 b which are separated for each room asthe display area of the respective appliances are displayed. Note that,in FIG. 33, the name for identifying the room 101 is indicated as “101”.Moreover, an appliance frame 3304 indicating the respective appliancesin the room is displayed. Note that, in FIG. 33, the name foridentifying the appliance 101 a is indicated as “101 a”. Here, as shownin FIG. 33, since the appliances 101 a, 101 b, 101 c have beenidentified as appliances in the same room in step S630, the applianceframes 3304 of the respective appliances are indicated in the room frame3303 a, which is the same display area. Similarly, since the appliances102 a, 102 b have been identified as appliances in the same room in stepS630, the appliance frames 3304 of the respective appliances areindicated in the room frame 3303 b, which is the same display area.

Note that, in the terminal 105, the appliance frames 3304 indicating thenames for identifying the respective appliances are desirably groupedwith a plurality of colors or patterns. In the example of FIG. 33, theappliance frame 3304 indicating the appliance 101 b and the applianceframe 3304 indicating the appliance 102 a are grouped with the samecolor and pattern. Moreover, the appliance frame 3304 indicating theappliance 101 a and the appliance frame 3304 indicating the appliance102 b are grouped with the same color.

For example, it is desirable to group appliances such asair-conditioners or lighting apparatuses based on their respective roleswith the same color or pattern since it will be possible to easilyassess the types of appliances that are installed in the respectiverooms.

Accordingly, the appliance identification unit 2001 of the cloud server104 determines one or more appliances that are installed in the firstroom 101 among the plurality of appliances based on the receivedenvironmental information. Moreover, the appliance identification unit2001 determines one or more appliances that are installed in the secondroom 102, which is different from the first room 101, among theplurality of appliances based on the received environmental information.The communication unit 311 of the cloud server 104 sends a command forrespectively displaying, in different display areas of a display unitequipped in a specific appliance among the plurality of appliances or inthe terminal 105 other than the plurality of appliances, firstinformation relating to the one or more appliances that have beendetermined as being installed in the first room 101, and secondinformation relating to the one or more appliances that have beendetermined as being installed in the second room 102. The terminal 105respectively displays the first information and the second informationin different display areas (room frames 3303 a, 3303 b) of the displayunit.

Moreover, when the user confirms the appliances in the home using theterminal 105 and there is an error in the displayed information, theerror is desirably corrected. It is thereby possible to identify theappliances in the same home and same room more accurately.

Moreover, the terminal 105 preferably displays appliances that arerunning and appliances that are in standby mode with different colors orpatterns. This is desirable since the appliance for which user forgot toturn off can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

Moreover, with regard to the appliance for which user forgot to turnoff, desirably, the terminal 105 can be used for performing control toturn OFF the power. It is thereby possible to conserve energy byresolving a situation where the user forgets to turn OFF the power of anappliance.

Moreover, desirably, a motion sensor for detecting users in therespective rooms is installed, and the terminal 105 displays anindication mark 3301 indicating that a user is in the room when a userexists in that room. Here, information relating to theexistence/non-existence of a person in the room or the position of thatperson may also be acquired by using the user position detection unit2004 of embodiment 1. Whether another user forgot to turn OFF the powercan be determined based on the existence/non-existence of a user in theroom. Thus, more appropriate power-saving is enabled.

Note that the motion sensor is configured from a pyro electric sensor,the imaging device described in embodiment 1, or the thermal radiationdistribution measuring device described in embodiment 1.

Moreover, the terminal 105 desirably displays the personal name or theindividual ID as a suffix to the indication mark 3301 based on the userposition information in which the individual was identified. It isthereby possible to control the appliances to suit each user. Forexample, a parent can prevent a child from watching TV for long hoursvia remote operation.

Moreover, the terminal 105 desirably changes the display location of theindication mark 3301 within the room frames 3303 a, 3303 b based on theuser position information. It is thereby possible to further clarify theappliance user.

Moreover, when the motion sensor installed in the respective roomsdetects that a person is in a room and is sleeping (or has fallen), theterminal 105 desirably displays the indication mark 3305 indicating thata person is in a room and is sleeping (or has fallen). More appropriatepower-saving is enabled since it is possible to determine whether theuser has forgotten to turn OFF the power of an appliance based on theinformation indicating that the person is sleeping.

Moreover, the terminal 105 may also display information relating to theposition of the respective appliances in the respective rooms by usingthe room position detection unit 2002 described in embodiment 1.

Moreover, the terminal 105 desirably displays the indication mark 3307indicating that there is a heat source in the room when a heat sourcesensor-type fire alarm or the like installed in the respective roomsdetects the existence of a heat source in the room. It is possible toprevent fires based on information of both the person's condition or theperson's existence and the heat source.

Moreover, the thermal radiation distribution measuring device or theimaging device may also be used for detecting fires.

Moreover, a toxic substance detecting device for detecting toxicsubstances such as pollen, dust, fungus or the like floating in the roommay also be installed in the respective rooms, and the terminal 105desirably displays the indication mark 3306 according to the amount oftoxic substance detected by the toxic substance detecting device. It isthereby possible to adjust the operation of the ventilating device orair cleaner installed in the respective rooms.

Moreover, the terminal 105 may also receive an instruction for startingthe operation of the air cleaner installed in the respective rooms.

Moreover, when a fire breaks out in the home, the terminal 105 desirablydisplays an indication mark (not shown) indicating a fire in the room.It is thereby possible to more quickly evacuate and engage infire-fighting activities.

Moreover, when there is an appliance in a room where the installationposition thereof is unknown, the terminal 105 may display the applianceframe 3302 indicating this appliance in which the installation positionis unknown outside the room frames 3303 a, 3303 b. If the user learns ofthe room where the appliance in which the installation position isunknown, the user can thereby correct the information.

Moreover, as described in embodiment 1, the information providing systemof embodiment 2 desirably comprises both a body fat scale including acommunication unit and a thermal radiation distribution measuring deviceincluding a communication unit. Thus, the terminal 105 desirablydisplays a mark of at least the body fat scale and the thermal radiationdistribution measuring device. It is thereby possible to assess theusers more accurately.

Moreover, similarly, as described in embodiment 1, the informationproviding system of embodiment 2 desirably comprises a TV including acommunication unit and a lighting apparatus including a communicationunit. Thus, the terminal 105 desirably displays a mark indicating the TVor the lighting apparatus. It is thereby possible to increase theaccuracy of detecting the position of appliances and the position ofusers in the same room.

Moreover, when the imaging device or the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring device is installed in appliance for a different purpose(lighting apparatus, TV or air-conditioner), the terminal 105 desirablydisplays a star-shaped indication mark 3308 in the appliance frame 3304representing the appliance comprising the imaging device or the thermalradiation distribution measuring device. It is thereby possible toclarify the room where the position of appliances can be detected andthe position of users can be detected.

Moreover, when the user selects (clicks) the indication mark 3308, theterminal 105 desirably displays the thermal radiation distribution image3401 measured with the thermal radiation distribution measuring deviceas shown in FIG. 34. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a display example ofthe thermal radiation distribution image measured with the thermalradiation distribution measuring device. The user can thereby assess thetemperature distribution in the room. For example, the user can assessthe cold portion of the room upon heating the room, and engage inenergy-saving by taking measures for insulation or the like.

Moreover, here, while the terminal 105 is displaying the thermalradiation distribution image, the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring device may also comprise a display unit for displaying thethermal radiation distribution image.

Moreover, an abnormally hot location of the room can be clarified withthe thermal radiation distribution image. For example, since the usercan assess abnormal heat generation of the outlet in advance, it ispossible to predict and prevent the tracking phenomenon.

Moreover, the room frames 3303 a, 3303 b are desirably laid out pursuantto the actual positional relationship of the rooms. It is therebypossible to provide a display that can be easily understood by the user.Here, information relating to the actual positional relationship of therooms may be acquired by using the room position detection unit 2002described in embodiment 1.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing another example of the display screen thatis displayed on the display unit 350 of the terminal 105 in step S3101of FIG. 31.

As shown in FIG. 35, the display screen 1051 of the terminal 105 maydisplay a floor plan 500 of the room in the home. Note that the floorplan 500 may be stored in the terminal 105 in advance, or created inadvance by the terminal 105 based on the positional relationshipinformation of rooms (second information).

The terminal 105 displays icons 501 representing the appliances in anarea representing the respective rooms in the floor plan 500. Theterminal 105 displays the icons 501 based on the same-room appliancelist information (first information) and the appliance positioninformation in room (third information). Moreover, the terminal 105displays a different icon 501 according to the type of appliance.

As a result of displaying the positions where the appliances areinstalled together with the floor plan in the building, the user canintuitively assess the position of the appliances.

The display method for displaying the first information to fifthinformation using the terminal 105 was explained above.

In the terminal 105, when there is any error in the first information tofifth information, even when the user ultimately corrects the error, asexplained in embodiment 2, the user's troubles of correcting the errorcan be alleviated by adopting the method of automatically detecting anddisplaying the appliances installed in the same room and the position ofthe rooms where the appliances are installed.

Moreover, with regard to an appliance in which the room where it isinstalled is frequency changed, the user's troubles of frequentlyupdating the information of the room where that appliance is installedcan be alleviated by adopting the method described in embodiment 2.

Moreover, when the terminal 105 is located outside the home (house) fora predetermined time or longer, desirably, the user is disabled fromoperating the terminal 105. It is thereby possible to prevent a useroutside the home from operating the appliances inside the home.

Moreover, the method of detecting the positional relationship of therooms described in embodiment 1 is desirably used, and, consequently,the same effect as embodiment 1 can be yielded.

According to embodiment 2, not only is the control of indoor appliancesfrom outside the home facilitated, it is also possible to provide aservice to the user based on the coordination of the appliances in thesame house.

(First Example Relating to Second Service Mode and Third Service Mode)

Explained is the information providing system and the informationproviding method in the second service mode and the third service modeof controlling the indoor appliances via the service provider in which aplurality of appliances connected to a network coordinate with eachother to provide value to the user.

The information providing system of this embodiment is now explainedwith reference to FIG. 36. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing theconfiguration of the information providing system in the first examplerelated to the second service mode and the third service mode.

The information providing system shown in FIG. 36 comprises at least anAV (Audio Visual) system 3501 including a communication function, adishwasher 3502 comprising a communication function, and the cloudserver 104. With this information providing system, when the user turnsON the power of the AV system 3501, the operation of the dishwasher 3502is automatically suspended. The user can thereby use the AV system 3501in a quiet environment, and a higher quality sound can be provided tothe user. Note that the AV system 3501 includes, for example, a TV, anoptical disc recorder or an optical disc player.

With this information providing system, for example, the AV system 3501notifies the cloud server 104 via the network 1000 of the fact that itspower has been turned ON. The cloud server 104 determines the operation(turning OFF the power) of the dishwasher 3502 that operates incoordination as a result of the power of the AV system 3501 being turnedON based on the retained appliance coordinated operation database. Inaddition, the cloud server 104 sends an instruction signal to thedishwasher 3502 for turning OFF its power. The plurality of appliancesconnected to a network can thereby coordinate with each other andprovide value to the user. Moreover, the AV system 3501 may alsodirectly send an instruction signal to the dishwasher 3502 via thenetwork 1000 for turning OFF its power.

Note that, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identifiesthat the AV system 3501 and the dishwasher 3502 exist in the same roombased on the method of detecting the appliances in the same roomdescribed in embodiment 1. It is thereby possible to stop the dishwasher3502 only when necessary.

Note that the cloud server 104 may also suspend the operation of thedishwasher 3502 rather than turning OFF of the power of the dishwasher3502.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identifiesthat the AV system 3501 and the dishwasher 3502 respectively exist inmutually adjacent rooms based on the method of detecting the positionalrelationship of the rooms described in embodiment 1. It is therebypossible to stop the dishwasher 3502 disposed in the adjacent room andprovide a high quality sound from the AV system 3501 to the user.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identifiesthe user who is using the AV system 3501 in advance based on the methodof identifying the position of the user described in embodiment 1. Forexample, the cloud server 104 stops the operation of the dishwasher 3502when the user is near the AV system 3501, and continues the operation ofthe dishwasher 3502 when the user is positioned a predetermined distanceaway from the AV system 3501. It is thereby possible to set whether tostop the dishwasher 3502 for each user when the AV system 3501 is beingused.

Accordingly, the control unit 321 of the cloud server 104 creates a list(same-room appliance list information) of one or more appliances thathave been determined as being installed in the same room. Thecommunication unit 311 of the cloud server 104 receives operatinginformation of the first appliance included in the created list. Thecontrol unit 321 of the cloud server 104 determines a controldescription of a second appliance which is included in the list andoperates in coordination with the first appliance based on a coordinatedoperation database for associating and storing an operation of oneappliance among the plurality of appliances and an operation of anotherappliance that operates in coordination with the one appliance. Thecommunication unit 311 of the cloud server 104 sends, to the secondappliance, a control signal for controlling the second applianceaccording to the determined control description.

(Second Example Relating to Second Service Mode and Third Service Mode)

The information providing system of this embodiment is now explainedwith reference to FIG. 37. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing theconfiguration of the information providing system in the second examplerelated to the second service mode and the third service mode.

The information providing system shown in FIG. 37 comprises at least atelephone 3601 including a communication function, an AV system 3602including a communication function, a dishwasher 3603 including acommunication function, and the cloud server 104. With this informationproviding system, when the user makes a call using the telephone 3601,the volume of the AV system 3602 is automatically lowered and theoperation of the dishwasher 3603 is automatically suspended. The usercan thereby make the call in a quite environment.

With this information providing system, for example, the telephone 3601sends a detection signal to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000 atthe timing that the call is made. The cloud server 104 determines theoperation (lowering the volume) of the AV system 3602 and the operation(suspending the operation) of the dishwasher 3603 which operate incoordination with the call made with the telephone 3601 based on theretained appliance coordinated operation database. Subsequently, thecloud server 104 sends an instruction signal to the AV system 3602 forlowering the volume and an instruction signal to the dishwasher 3603 forsuspending the operation. The plurality of appliances connected to anetwork can thereby coordinate with each other to provide value to theuser.

Moreover, the telephone 3601 may also directly send an instructionsignal to the AV system 3602 and the dishwasher 3603 via the network1000.

Note that the cloud server 104 may also turn OFF of the power of thedishwasher 3502 rather than suspending the operation of the dishwasher3502.

Note that, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identifiesthat the telephone 3601 and the AV system 3602 and the dishwasher 3603exist in the same room based on the method of identifying the appliancesin the same room described in embodiment 1. It is thereby possible tolower the volume of the AV system 3602 and to suspend the dishwasher3603 only when necessary.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identifiesthat the telephone 3601 and the AV system 3602 and the dishwasher 3603respectively exist in mutually adjacent rooms based on the method ofdetecting the positional relationship of the rooms described inembodiment 1. It is thereby possible to lower the volume of the AVsystem 3602 and suspend the dishwasher 3603 which are disposed in theadjacent room and provide a quiet environment to the user for making acall with the telephone 3601.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identifiesthe user who is using the telephone 3601 in advance based on the methodof identifying the position of the user described in embodiment 1. Forexample, the cloud server 104 lowers the volume of the AV system 3602when the user is near the AV system 3602 and suspends the operation ofthe dishwasher 3603 when the user is near the dishwasher 3603, andmaintains the current volume of the AV system 3602 when the user ispositioned a predetermined distance away from the AV system 3602, andcontinues the operation of the dishwasher 3502 when the user ispositioned a predetermined distance away from the dishwasher 3603. It isthereby possible to set whether to suspend the operation of thedishwasher 3603 or lower the volume of the AV system 3602 for each userwhen the telephone 3601 is being used.

(Third Example Relating to Second Service Mode and Third Service Mode)

The information providing system of this embodiment is now explainedwith reference to FIG. 38. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing theconfiguration of the information providing system in the third examplerelated to the second service mode and the third service mode.

The information providing system shown in FIG. 38 comprises at least afire alarm 3701 including a communication function, a ventilation fan3702 comprising a communication function, a window 3703 comprising acommunication function, and the cloud server 104. With this informationproviding system, when smoke is detected by the fire alarm 3701, thepower of the ventilation fan 3702 is automatically turned ON to startventilation. It is thereby possible to discharge smoke in the home uponalleviating the user's troubles.

With this information providing system, for example, the fire alarm 3701sends a detection signal to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000 atthe timing that the smoke is detected. The cloud server 104 determinesthe operation (starting ventilation) of the ventilation fan 3702 whichoperates in coordination with the detection of the smoke by the firealarm 3701 based on the retained appliance coordinated operationdatabase. Subsequently, the cloud server 104 sends an instruction signalto the ventilation fan 3702 for starting the ventilation. The pluralityof appliances connected to a network can thereby coordinate with eachother to provide value to the user.

Moreover, the fire alarm 3701 may also directly send an instructionsignal to the ventilation fan 3702 via the network 1000.

The fire alarm 3701 is preset with a smoke density for determining thata fire has occurred and a smoke density for starting the ventilationwith the ventilation fan 3702, and the original function as a fire alarmcan also function without any problem.

Here, the fire alarm 3701 is desirably a smoke sensor-type fire alarm.It is thereby possible to perform the ventilation with the ventilationfan 3702 more accurately.

Moreover, the information providing system of this embodiment comprisesa window 3703 which is connected to the network 1000 and includes anautomatic opening/closing function. When smoke is detected by the firealarm 3701, the information providing system desirably starts theventilation with the ventilation fan 3702, and additionally opens thewindow 3703. It is thereby possible to increase the amount of smoke thatis discharged, and reduce the amount of smoke in the room.

Moreover, here, while the case of the fire alarm 3701 detecting thesmoke density and the ventilation fan 3702 starting the ventilation wasexplained, the information providing system may also start theventilation with the ventilation fan 3702 when the humidity of the roommeasured with the air cleaner in the same room exceeds a predeterminedthreshold. It is thereby possible to inhibit the generation of mildew.

Moreover, when the information providing system comprises the window3703 including an automatic opening/closing function to become the inletport of a plurality of rooms in the same home, the cloud server 104desirably selects the ventilation fan 3702 to perform the ventilationand the window 3703 to perform the intake of air based on informationsuch as the humidity of the respective rooms, the temperature of therespective rooms, the outdoor air temperature, existence of residents,concentration of pollen indoors and outdoors, concentration of fungifloating in the room, smoke density, or concentration of dust, andchange the rotation speed of the blades of the ventilation fan 3702. Itis thereby possible to perform efficient ventilation.

For example, during the use of air-conditions in the summer or winter,the cloud server 104 discharges air from the ventilation fan 3702installed in a room having a high concentration of pollen, fungi, smokeor dust, and performs the intake of air from the window 3703 of a roomwhere a user does not exist. It is thereby possible to discharge pollen,fungi, smoke or dust while suppressing the power consumption of theair-conditioners.

Moreover, for example, by performing the intake of air from the window3703 of a room that is facing a side in which the outside temperature ishigh in the winter and discharging air from the ventilation fan 3702installed in a room that has high humidity, it is possible toefficiently prevent the occurrence of fungi while alleviating thelowering of the room temperature.

Moreover, the fire alarm 3701 desirably comprises a power supply unit.It is thereby possible to realize a fire alarm 3701 without requiring abattery, inexpensively, and which does not need to be replaced for along period of time.

Moreover, the fire alarm 3701 desirably has the same body shape as thelighting apparatus. It is thereby possible to avoid any new wiring workfor supplying power.

Note that, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identifiesthat the fire alarm 3701 and the ventilation fan 3702 exist in the sameroom based on the method of detecting the appliances in the same roomdescribed in embodiment 1. It is thereby possible to operate theventilation fan 3702 only when necessary.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identitiesthat the fire alarm 3701 and the ventilation fan 3702 respectively existin mutually adjacent rooms based on the method of detecting thepositional relationship of the rooms described in embodiment 1. It isthereby possible to also perform ventilation from the ventilation fan3702 disposed in the adjacent room.

(Fourth Example Relating to Second Service Mode and Third Service Mode)

The information providing system of this embodiment is now explainedwith reference to FIG. 39. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing theconfiguration of the information providing system in the fourth examplerelated to the second service mode and the third service mode.

The information providing system shown in FIG. 39 comprises at least aninterphone 3801 including a communication function, a ventilation fan3802 including a communication function, and the cloud server 104. Withthis information providing system, when a visitor is detected by theinterphone 3801, the power of the ventilation fan 3802 is automaticallyturned ON to start ventilation. It is thereby possible to realize astate where the indoor air pressure becomes lower than the outdoor airpressure when the door is opened/closed, and air will flow into the homewhen the door is opened. In other words, it is possible to alleviate thevisitor from smelling the scent in the room upon opening the door, andalleviate the worries of the resident who feels uncomfortable about thescent of the main entrance.

With this information providing system, for example, the interphone 3801sends a detection signal to the cloud server 104 via the network 1000 atthe timing that the visitor rings the doorbell of the interphone 3801.The cloud server 104 determines the operation (starting ventilation) ofthe ventilation fan 3802 which operates in coordination with theoperation of the ringing of the doorbell of the interphone 3801 based onthe retained appliance coordinated operation database. Subsequently, thecloud server 104 sends an instruction signal to the ventilation fan 3802for starting the ventilation. The plurality of appliances connected to anetwork can thereby coordinate with each other to provide value to theuser.

Moreover, the interphone 3801 may also directly send an instructionsignal to the ventilation fan 3802 via the intercom installed in theroom. Note that the intercom is connected to the interphone 3801, andoutputs the visitor's image and voice acquired by the interphone 3801.Moreover, the intercom is communicably connected to the cloud server 104via the network 1000.

Here, the cloud server 104 can provide a more user-friendly service tothe user by determining which ventilation fan 3802 should be operated byassessing the positional relationship of the rooms where the ventilationfans 3802 are installed based on the method of detecting the positionalrelationship of the rooms described in embodiment 1.

For example, when the user wishes to actively ventilate the air of themain entrance, the cloud server 104 operates the ventilation fan 3802that is installed in a room that is close to the door of the mainentrance. Moreover, when the user does not wish the visitor to hear thesound of the ventilation fan 3802, the cloud server 104 operates theventilation fan 3802 that is installed in a room that is fair from thedoor of the main entrance.

(Fifth Example Relating to Second Service Mode and Third Service Mode)

The information providing system of this embodiment is now explainedwith reference to FIG. 40. FIG. 40 is a diagram showing theconfiguration of the information providing system in the fifth examplerelated to the second service mode and the third service mode.

The information providing system shown in FIG. 40 comprises at least afire alarm 3902 including a communication function, a lighting apparatus3901 including a communication function, and the cloud server 104. Withthis information providing system, when a person is detected by the firealarm 3902, the power of the lighting apparatus 3901 is automaticallyturned ON. It is thereby possible to automatically light only thelighting apparatus 3901 of the room where that person exists, andpower-saving is enabled without having to trouble the user.

With this information providing system, for example, a heat sensor-typefire alarm 3902 sends a detection signal to the cloud server 104 via thenetwork 1000 at the timing that the person is detected. The cloud server104 determines the operation (starting lighting) of the lightingapparatus 3901 which operates in coordination with the detection of theperson by the fire alarm 3902 based on the retained appliancecoordinated operation database. Subsequently, the cloud server 104 sendsan instruction signal to the lighting apparatus 3901 for starting thelighting. The plurality of appliances connected to a network can therebycoordinate with each other to provide value to the user.

Moreover, the fire alarm 3701 may also directly send the lightinginstruction signal to the lighting apparatus 3901 via the network 1000.

Moreover, when it is detected by the fire alarm 3902 that no personexists in the room, the cloud server 104 desirably turns OFF thelighting apparatus 3901. It is thereby possible to prevent the lightingapparatus from being unintentionally left ON while the resident isabsent, and power-saving is thereby enabled.

Moreover, similarly, when it is detected by the fire alarm 3902 that theresident is sleeping, the cloud server 104 desirably turns OFF thelighting apparatus 3901. It is thereby possible to prevent the lightingapparatus from being unintentionally left ON while the resident issleeping, and power-saving is thereby enabled.

Moreover, upon turning OFF the lighting apparatus of the room when theresident is absent or when the resident is sleeping as described above,the cloud server 104 desirably switches the power of other appliancessuch as the TV and the air-conditioner to OFF or a power-saving mode. Itis thereby possible to more effectively perform power-saving.

Moreover, here, while the fire alarm 3902 is used for detecting whethera person is absent or a person is sleeping, this may also be detectedwith a motion sensor that is installed in an air-conditioner or alighting apparatus, or detected using other means.

Moreover, a motion sensor does not necessarily have to be used, and, forexample, the cloud server 104 may also turn OFF the power of the otherappliances such as the air-conditioner and the lighting apparatus in thesame room upon being notified that the power of the TV has been turnedOFF without any operation by the user. In the foregoing case, whilethere will a delay until the OFF state of the power is determined, thesystem can be built less expensively.

Moreover, the fire alarm 3902 desirably comprises a power supply unit.It is thereby possible to realize a fire alarm 3902 without requiring abattery, inexpensively, and which does not need to be replaced for along period of time.

Moreover, the fire alarm 3902 desirably has the same body shape as thelighting apparatus. It is thereby possible to avoid any new wiring workfor supplying power.

Note that, in this embodiment, the cloud server 104 desirably identifiesthat the lighting apparatus 3901 and the fire alarm 3902 exist in thesame room based on the method of detecting the appliances in the sameroom described in embodiment 1. It is thereby possible to turn on thelighting apparatus of a room that requires lighting only when necessary.

While the information providing system and the information providingmethod in this embodiment were explained above, the configurationsdescribed in this specification are merely examples, and it goes withoutsaying that the present invention may be variously modified to theextent that such modification does not deviate from the gist of thisinvention.

Moreover, in the respective embodiments, the information providingsystem desirably comprises an information terminal connected to thenetwork 1000. In other words, the communication unit 311 of the cloudserver 104 sends information for confirming an intention of the user tothe user's portable terminal before the control signal is sent to thesecond appliance which operates in coordination with the firstappliance. For example, when controlling a separate appliance accordingto the operating condition of a certain appliance, it is possible toobtain the user's permission for controlling the separate appliance, andthe appliances can be controlled more in line with the user's wishes.For example, in the case of embodiment 2, before suspending theoperation of the dishwasher upon being notified that the power of the AVsystem has been turned ON, it is possible to confirm with the userregarding whether the operation of the dishwasher may be suspended(through use of the information terminal).

Moreover, the information providing system desirably sets in advance,based on initialization or the like using the information terminal,whether the respective appliances are to be operated in coordination. Itis thereby possible to avoid confirming with the user each time aseparate appliance is controlled according to the operating condition ofa certain appliance.

Moreover, regardless of whether initialization is performed, theinformation providing system desirably enables the user to set inadvance whether to implement the confirmation process with the userusing the information terminal. It is thereby possible to controlappliances with even less trouble on the user's side.

Moreover, the setting of whether to operate the appliances incoordination may be made differently for each user, and preferablyenables the detection of the position of users as described inembodiment 1. It is thereby possible to control the apparatuses in linewith the wishes of the respective users.

Embodiment 3

Embodiment 3 explains examples of the services that are provided to theuser to use respective appliances by using the information that has beendetected in the information providing system described in embodiment 1.Note that embodiment 3 is merely an example, and does not limit theservices that can be provided by the information providing systemdescribed in embodiment 1.

Appliance user information (fifth information) relating to the user ofthe respective appliances is obtained by the appliance positiondetection unit 2003 and the user position detection unit 2004 describedin embodiment 1.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the service mode in which the serviceprovider receives image information from the imaging device, andreceives appliance operating information and intermittent patterninformation from the respective appliances installed in the same room.As shown in FIG. 41, the first service provider 120 receives imageinformation from the imaging device 1701, and receives applianceoperating information indicating the operating condition of theappliance and the intermittent lighting pattern of the light source fromthe respective appliances 101 a, 101 b installed in the same room. Thefirst service provider 120 determines the appliance user based on thereceived image information and intermittent pattern information, andprovides the determined appliance user information and the receivedappliance operating information to the user or the second serviceprovider 130.

Moreover, the appliance user information may also be acquired from thethermal radiation distribution measuring device in substitute for theimaging device as described in embodiment 1.

Moreover, while not shown, the service mode may also be such that theroles of the first service provider 120 and the second service provider130 are performed by a single service provider.

The second service provider 130 and the user may acquire the applianceuser information, and confirm the appliance user information via adisplay device such as a display. Moreover, a smartphone or a PC may beused as the terminal comprising a display device.

Here, the second service provider 130 can provide the following servicesto the appliance user based on the appliance operating information andthe appliance user information.

(1) When a user A uses a rice cooker in a rice porridge mode, the secondservice provider 130 (pharmaceutical manufacturer A) distributes, forexample, an advertisement of a cold medicine to the user A. The user Acan thereby receive an advertisement that is required more by the userA. Here, the appliance 101 a is the rice cooker and the applianceoperating information is the rice porridge mode, the appliance user isthe user A, and the second service provider 130 is the pharmaceuticalmanufacturer A.

(2) When a user B frequently uses a coffee maker, the second serviceprovider 130 (supermarket A) distributes an advertisement of coffeebeans to the user B. The user B can thereby receive an advertisementthat is of more interest to the user B. Here, the appliance 101 a is thecoffee maker, the appliance operating information is the appliance usehistory (appliance use frequency), the appliance user is the user B, andthe second service provider 130 is the supermarket A.

In the foregoing case, it would be desirable for the respective users tobe able to select whether the first service provider 120 should providethe appliance usage information to the second service provider 130, andwhether to thereby receive the various services from the second serviceprovider 130. The respective users can thereby receive services that arerequired by each of the users.

Moreover, the second service provider 130 can provide the followingservices to the family members of the appliance user based on theappliance operating information and the appliance user information.

(3) When a user C is watching a cartoon program A on TV by preference,the second service provider 130 (manufacturer of goods related to thecartoon program A) can make a pitch to a user D, who is a family memberof the user C, to give goods related to the cartoon program A as a giftto the user C. The user D can thereby make the user C happy. Here, theappliance 101 a is the TV, the appliance operating information is theviewing program information (cartoon program A), the appliance user isthe user C, and the second service provider 130 is the manufacturer ofgoods related to the cartoon program A.

(4) When a user E uses a rice cooker in a rice porridge mode, the secondservice provider 130 (hospital A) examines a user F, who is a familymember of the user E, by giving consideration to the information thatthere is a sick person within the family when the user F visits thehospital for a medical examination. The user F can thereby receive amore appropriate diagnosis. Here, the appliance 101 a is the ricecooker, the appliance operating information is the rice porridge mode,the appliance user is the user E, and the second service provider 130 isthe hospital A.

Moreover, in the example of (3) above, the user D may also receive theappliance usage information of the user C directly from the firstservice provider 120 without going through the second service provider130.

Moreover, it would be desirable for the user C to be able to select towhich family member one's own appliance usage information may beprovided. This will realize an information providing method that enablessuperior privacy protection within the family.

Moreover, desirably, only the service (proposal of giving a gift orappropriate medical examination) from the second service provider 130 isprovided to the user D or the user F, and the appliance usageinformation (viewing program information or rice porridge mode) is notdisclosed to the user D or the user F. It is thereby possible to realizean information providing method that enables even more superior privacyprotection within the family.

Moreover, the appliance usage information may be disclosed to the user Dor the user F, and the user D or the user F can thereby utilize thefamily's appliance usage information more diversely.

As shown in this embodiment, by providing both information relating tothe appliance user in the home and the appliance operating informationto the second service provider 130, the appliance user (user) and familymembers of that appliance user can enjoy more desirable services.

(Service Type)

The technologies explained in the foregoing aspects can be realized, forexample, by the following types of cloud services. Nevertheless, thetypes of cloud services for realizing the technologies explained in theforegoing aspects are not limited to these types of cloud services.

(Service Type 1: Company-Owned Data Center-Type Cloud Service)

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in service type 1 (company-owneddata center-type cloud service). With this service type, the serviceprovider 120 acquires information from the group 100, and provides theservice to the user. With this service type, the service provider 120functions as the data center operating company. In other words, theservice provider comprises the cloud server 111 for managing big data.Accordingly, the data center operating company does not exist.

With this service type, the service provider 120 operates and managesthe data center (cloud server) 203. Moreover, the service provider 120manages the operating system (OS) 202 and the application 201. Theservice provider 120 provides the service by using the OS 202 and theapplication 201 that are being managed by the service provider 120(arrow 204).

(Service Type 2: IaaS-Based Cloud Service)

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in service type 2 (IaaS-based cloudservice). Here, “IaaS” is the abbreviation forInfrastructure-as-a-Service, and is a cloud service providing model thatprovides the infrastructure itself for building and operating thecomputer system as a service via the internet.

With this service type, the data center operating company 110 operatesand manages the data center (cloud server) 203. Moreover, the serviceprovider 120 manages the OS 202 and the application 201. The serviceprovider 120 provides the service by using the OS 202 and theapplication 201 that are being managed by the service provider 120(arrow 204).

(Service Type 3: PaaS-Based Cloud Service)

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in service type 3 (PaaS-based cloudservice). Here, “PaaS” is the abbreviation for Platform-as-a-Service,and is a cloud service providing model that provides the platform tobecome the foundation for building and operating the software as aservice via the internet.

With this service type, the data center operating company 110 managesthe OS 202, and operates and manages the data center (cloud server) 203.Moreover, the service provider 120 manages the application 201. Theservice provider 120 provides the service by using the OS 202 that isbeing managed by the data center operating company 110 and theapplication 201 that is being managed by the service provider 120 (arrow204).

(Service Type 4: SaaS-Based Cloud Service)

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing the overall image of the service providedby the information providing system in service type 4 (SaaS-based cloudservice). Here, “SaaS” is the abbreviation for Software-as-a-Service.The SaaS-based cloud service is a cloud service providing model having afunction, for example, which enables a user such as a company or anindividual that does not have a data center (cloud server) to use, via anetwork such as the internet, the application provided by the platformprovider that has a data center (cloud server).

With this service type, the data center operating company 110 managesthe application 201, manages the OS 202, and operates and manages thedata center (cloud server) 203. Moreover, the service provider 120provides the service by using the OS 202 and the application 201 thatare being managed by the data center operating company 110 (arrow 204).

Accordingly, in all of the foregoing types of cloud services, theservice provider 120 provides the service. Moreover, for example, theservice provider or the data center operating company may independentlydevelop the OS, application or the database of big data, or outsourcesuch development to a third party.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The information providing method and the information providing apparatusaccording to the present invention can provide highly user-friendlyservices based on information relating to the installation site ofappliances which are connected to a network and located within the samehome or the location of the user within the same home, and the presentinvention is effective as an information providing method and aninformation providing apparatus for controlling appliances connected toa network.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. An information providing method, comprising:receiving an environmental information of an installation site from eachof a plurality of appliances which are connected via a network and eachinclude means for detecting environmental information; determiningappliances in which timing of change in the received environmentalinformation is the same as appliances that are installed in a same room;and determining appliances in which timing of change in the receivedenvironmental information is different as appliances that are installedin a different room.
 23. The information providing method according toclaim 22, further comprising: providing information relating to theappliances that have been determined as being installed in the same roomto a specific appliance among the plurality of appliances or to aninformation terminal other than the plurality of appliances.
 24. Theinformation providing method according to claim 22, further comprising:creating a list of the appliances that have been determined as beinginstalled in the same room; receiving operating information of a firstappliance included in the created list; determining a controldescription of a second appliance which is included in the list andoperates in coordination with the first appliance based on a coordinatedoperation database for associating and storing an operation of oneappliance among the plurality of appliances and an operation of anotherappliance that operates in coordination with the one appliance; andsending a control signal for controlling the second appliance based onthe determined control description to the second appliance.
 25. Theinformation providing method according to claim 24, further comprising:sending information for confirming an intention of a user to a user'sportable terminal before the control signal is sent to the secondappliance.
 26. The information providing method according to claim 22,further comprising: receiving position specifying information forspecifying the location of the plurality of appliances in apredetermined room and specifying the location of a user in the room viaa network; specifying the location of the plurality of appliances in theroom and the location of the user in the room based on the receivedposition specifying information; specifying a user who is using theappliances that have been determined as being installed in the same roomamong the plurality of appliances in the room based on the specifiedlocation of the plurality of appliances and the specified location ofthe user; and providing information relating to the user to a serviceproviding apparatus which provides an arbitrary service to the specifieduser and to family members of the user.
 27. The information providingmethod according to claim 26, wherein: the position specifyinginformation includes an image within a room captured by an imagingdevice; and the location of the plurality of appliances in the room isspecified and the location of the user in the room is specified based onthe captured image.
 28. The information providing method according toclaim 26, wherein: the position specifying information includes athermal radiation distribution within a room measured with a thermalradiation distribution measuring device; and the location of theplurality of appliances in the room is specified and the location of theuser in the room is specified based on the measured thermal radiationdistribution.
 29. The information providing method according to claim26, further comprising: receiving information relating to a body shapeof the user measured with a body shape measuring device, wherein a userwho is using the appliances that have been determined as being installedin the same room among the plurality of appliances in the room isspecified based on the information relating to the body shape of theuser, the location of the plurality of appliances, and the location ofthe user.
 30. The information providing method according to claim 28,further comprising: blowing air of a temperature that is different froma room temperature toward an arbitrary appliance.
 31. The informationproviding method according to claim 22, wherein: one or more appliancesinstalled in a first room among the plurality of appliances aredetermined based on the received environmental information; and one ormore appliances installed in a second room that is different from thefirst room among the plurality of appliances are determined based on thereceived environmental information; the information providing methodfurther comprising: sending a command for displaying, in a first displayarea of a display unit equipped in a specific appliance among theplurality of appliances or in an information terminal other than theplurality of appliances, first information relating to the one or moreappliances that have been determined as being installed in the firstroom; and sending a command for displaying, in a second display area ofa display unit equipped in a specific appliance among the plurality ofappliances or in an information terminal other than the plurality ofappliances, second information relating to the one or more appliancesthat have been determined as being installed in the second room.
 32. Theinformation providing method according to claim 31, further comprising:receiving position specifying information for specifying the location ofthe plurality of appliances in a predetermined room and specifying thelocation of a person in the room via a network; and sending a commandfor displaying an indication relating to the location of the person inthe first display area together with the first information when thelocation of the person is in the first room, displaying an indicationrelating to the person in the second display area together with thesecond information when the location of the person is in the secondroom, and displaying an indication relating to the person in a thirdarea other than the first display area and the second display area whenthe location of the person is in an area other than the first room andthe second room based on the received position specifying information.33. The information providing method according to claim 31, wherein: atleast one appliance among the plurality of appliances is provided with athermal radiation distribution measuring device; the informationproviding method further comprising when a display area representing thethermal radiation distribution measuring device is selected by a user ofthe information terminal, displaying an image indicating a thermalradiation distribution acquired by the thermal radiation distributionmeasuring device on the information terminal.
 34. The informationproviding method according to claim 22, wherein: the environmentalinformation includes information relating to a time that the pluralityof appliances have detected a change in light; and appliances, among theplurality of appliances, in which the time that the change in light hasbeen detected is the same are determined as appliances that areinstalled in the same room.
 35. The information providing methodaccording to claim 22, wherein: a plurality of light sourcesrespectively disposed in a plurality of rooms within a building are eachlit according to a predetermined lighting pattern; and appliances, amongthe plurality of appliances, for which a same lighting pattern has beendetected are determined as appliances that are installed in the sameroom.
 36. The information providing method according to claim 22,wherein: the environmental information includes information relating toa time that the plurality of appliances have detected a change in sound;and appliances, among the plurality of appliances, in which the timethat the change in sound has been detected is the same are determined asappliances that are installed in the same room.
 37. The informationproviding method according to claim 36, wherein: a mobile appliance thatmoves between a plurality of rooms within a building is caused to outputsound; the environmental information includes information relating to atime that the plurality of appliances have detected a change in thesound output by the mobile appliance; and appliances, among theplurality of appliances, in which the time that the change in sound hasbeen detected is the same are determined as appliances that areinstalled in the same room.
 38. The information providing methodaccording to claim 36, wherein: a positional relationship of a firstroom where the one or more appliances detected at a first time areinstalled, and a second room where the one or more appliances detectedat a second time are installed is detected based on a difference betweenthe first time and the second time.
 39. The information providing methodaccording to claim 36, wherein: whether the plurality of appliances areinstalled in the same room is detected by the plurality of appliancesdetecting a sound produced from a plurality of sound sources which areconnected to a network and disposed within a building.
 40. Theinformation providing method according to claim 36, wherein: a part of aplurality of sound sources are disposed at locations of differentheights; and a distance in a horizontal direction between the pluralityof appliances disposed at locations of different heights is closer thana distance in a horizontal direction between the plurality of appliancesdisposed at locations of the same height.
 41. The information providingmethod according to claim 22, wherein: the environmental informationincludes information relating to a time that the plurality of applianceshave detected a change in temperature; and appliances, among theplurality of appliances, in which the time that the change intemperature has been detected is the same are determined as appliancesthat are installed in the same room.
 42. The information providingmethod according to claim 22, wherein: the environmental informationincludes information relating to a time that the plurality of applianceshave detected in a change in microwaves; and one or more appliances,among the plurality of appliances, in which the time that the change inmicrowaves has been detected is the same are determined as appliancesthat are installed in the same room.
 43. An information providingapparatus, comprising: a communication unit for receiving environmentalinformation of an installation site from each of a plurality ofappliances which are connected via a network and each include means fordetecting environmental information; and a control unit for determiningappliances in which timing of change in the received environmentalinformation is the same, as appliances that are installed in a sameroom, and for determining appliances in which timing of change in thereceived environmental information is different, as appliances that areinstalled in a different room.
 44. The information providing apparatusaccording to claim 43, wherein: the environmental information includesinformation relating to a time that the plurality of appliances havedetected a change in light; and the control unit determines appliances,among the plurality of appliances, in which the time that the change inlight has been detected is the same, as appliances that are installed inthe same room.
 45. The information providing apparatus according toclaim 43, wherein: a plurality of light sources respectively disposed ina plurality of rooms within a building are each lit according to apredetermined lighting pattern; and the control unit determinesappliances, among the plurality of appliances, for which a same lightingpattern has been detected, as appliances that are installed in the sameroom.
 46. The information providing apparatus according to claim 43,wherein: the environmental information includes information relating toa time that the plurality of appliances have detected a change in sound;and the control unit determines appliances, among the plurality ofappliances, in which the time that the change in sound has been detectedis the same, as appliances that are installed in the same room.
 47. Theinformation providing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein: a mobileappliance that moves between a plurality of rooms within a buildingoutputs sound; the environmental information includes informationrelating to a time that the plurality of appliances have detected achange in the sound output by the mobile appliance; and the control unitdetermines appliances, among the plurality of appliances, in which thetime that the change in sound has been detected is the same, asappliances that are installed in the same room.
 48. The informationproviding apparatus according to claim 43, wherein: the environmentalinformation includes information relating to a time that the pluralityof appliances have detected a change in temperature; and the controlunit determines appliances, among the plurality of appliances, in whichthe time that the change in temperature has been detected is the same,as appliances that are installed in the same room.